How to Teach Children to Apply Sunscreen

Teach your children how to apply sunscreen appropriately at a young age.

The sun is not only the Earth's source of light and heat, it provides us with a necessary nutrient, Vitamin D. The sun also poses harmful risks, including UVA and UVB rays, which cause sunburn and can contribute to skin cancer. Kidshealth.org estimates that children receive 50 to 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18, which makes it crucial to teach your children how to properly apply sunscreen as early as possible.

Instructions

1. Educate your child about using a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent both tanning and burning.

2. Tell your child to apply the sunscreen to all exposed areas or any areas of skin that are at risk of being exposed. If the child is wearing a bathing suit, tell her to apply sunscreen under the straps in case they shift during the day. Stress the importance of applying generously to the face, neck and chest, which are more likely to get burned.

3. Stress reapplication throughout the day, especially if your child engages in sports where he is sweating or swimming. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends reapplying sunscreen a minimum of every two hours for the best protection.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover up as much skin as possible to still remain comfortable in the sun.

• Have your child wear a hat to prevent burning the top of his head.

References

• Kid's Health: Use Sunscreen Consistently
• WebMD; Summer Sun Protection for Kids; Kelli Stacy