A person can survive days without food and water, but only minutes without air. Clean air feels refreshing—especially after leaving a stuffy room. When air is clean, breathing is easy and deep, letting more oxygen into the body. Clean, fresh air is essential for both work and relaxation.
The beneficial effects of air depend on its temperature, humidity, movement, electrostatic charge, and on the amount of dust, bacteria, and other impurities and odors.
When a person spends too long in a crowded, polluted space, their well-being deteriorates. Breathing becomes shallow and less effective, reducing oxygen intake. That can cause headaches, poor concentration, lower productivity, and more irritability.
Air contaminated with microbes is particularly harmful. Air plays a major role in spreading many diseases; roughly one-fifth of infectious diseases are transmitted through the air.
When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks—especially loudly—tiny droplets of saliva carrying microbes are released into the air.
Microbes that settle in dust on surfaces can be lifted back into the air by drafts and remain suspended for a long time. Where there’s a lot of dust, there are also usually many microbes.
To keep microbes from spreading through the air, speak calmly and cover your mouth with a handkerchief when you cough or sneeze. Teach children these hygiene habits from an early age.
The fight for clean air involves a series of measures. The most important are daily thorough cleaning and ventilation—open windows in winter and windows or doors in summer. Ventilate the room during and after cleaning. If you ventilate before cleaning, dust from surfaces and the floor will rise into the air and be inhaled. Cross-ventilation is most effective. In winter, ventilate every hour for 5–10 minutes; in summer, keep windows open all day.
Ventilate the room before sleeping and in the morning. Breathing clean air while sleeping is very beneficial. Sleep with a window or vent open when possible, or even outdoors if feasible.
Smoking indoors significantly pollutes the air. Smoking releases carbon monoxide from burning tobacco and paper, which can cause poisoning. Even small amounts can harm health. Smoking is harmful to everyone.
To raise a healthy, strong child, parents must care for them every day. Make the home conducive to studying: the room where the child prepares lessons should be bright, clean, quiet, and well-ventilated.
Establish a set place and time for studying at home. Parents should watch their child’s posture while they study.
If the desk is too low and the chair too high, the child will hunch over; if the desk is too high and the chair too low, the child will raise one shoulder excessively, which can lead to spinal curvature.
When a student writes, the front edge of the chair should extend 3-5 cm beyond the edge of the desk, both hands should rest on the table, the back should be straight, shoulders level, and feet flat on the floor or a footstool.
During study sessions, students should take a 10-minute break every hour. Spend those 10 minutes outdoors when possible. After three hours of studying, extend the break to 30 minutes; frail children may benefit from a one-hour nap with the window or vent open, or on the balcony.
Upon waking in the morning, students should do morning exercises with the window open.
After exercising, wash the whole body—or at least the upper body—with water. Start with warm water for the first few days and gradually lower it to room temperature. The exercises and washing should last 5-8 minutes.
Feed children at regular times. Irregular meal schedules can cause loss of appetite and digestive problems, which can lead to restless sleep, frequent awakenings, and poor recovery of strength. Poor sleep makes a child irritable, weak, and easily fatigued during lessons, which hurts their ability to absorb the teacher’s explanations.
The amount of sleep needed varies by age and health. First graders need 12 hours of sleep per day (including naps), second- to fourth-graders need 11 hours, and fifth- to tenth-graders need 9 hours.
Accustom children gradually to sleeping with the window open, starting on warm days, while making sure they don’t get too cold or sweaty.
A child’s bed should be spacious and not overly soft. Children should not share a bed with other family members.
Avoid noisy, active games before bedtime, and do not read or tell scary stories at that time; these activities can excite children and make it hard for them to calm down and fall asleep. That leads to restless sleep, talking in their sleep, and poor restorative rest. For normal sleep, children need quiet and dim lighting. Following these guidelines will help ensure healthy, restorative sleep.
One key requirement of a schoolchild’s routine is ample time outdoors. First- to fourth-graders should be outdoors 3-4 hours a day, fifth- to sixth-graders two hours, and seventh- to tenth-graders one to one and a half hours daily.
To raise children successfully, parents must enforce these rules and create suitable conditions at home. Children should have their own soap, separate towels, toothbrushes, and handkerchiefs; bathe weekly; change underwear regularly; and keep their nails trimmed. By methodically instilling cleanliness and tidiness, educators and parents can make hygiene habits second nature.
A schoolchild’s clothing should suit the season and weather. A child who is bundled up in all weather is more likely to get sore throats, the flu, and boils.
The fit of clothing is also crucial. Tight clothing that constricts the chest can hinder breathing, which is harmful to a growing body. A tight collar can compress blood vessels to the head, disrupting blood flow to the brain. A tightly cinched belt or a narrow waist in a dress can compress the intestines, impairing digestion and blood circulation in the pelvic area and lower limbs.
Therefore, important conditions for proper hygienic education of a child include strict adherence to a daily routine, a balance of work and rest, a balanced diet, and frequent outdoor activity combined with sports and recreation.
The upbringing of a schoolchild at home is complemented by activities conducted at school and in pioneer camps. All of this forms a unified system of physical education for the child.
