Hat Tricks
Sun safety – the fun way!
|by Leanne Southall
All across America’s playgrounds, parents are
chasing their fleeing children, waving sunhats in
the air, pleading and negotiating. Outdoor play
is essential for our children’s well-being. Thankfully, you do not have to compromise sun safety
this season! Naturally, we have a few tricks up
our sleeve for you!
“I’m too itchy!”
Many children and infant hats have tags sewn
into the seam – a perpetual source of irritation
for some children. In addition, synthetic fibers
such as polyester or nylon, can be scratchy and
stiff.
Hat Trick: Snip those in-sewn tags off
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carefully, leaving no troubling rough edges.
Consider natural fabrics like organic cotton,
hemp or bamboo that allow air to circulate freely around little heads and ears. Avoid synthetic
hats labeled with a UPF rating – many have
been treated with chemical UV absorbers or
chemical sunblock and off-gas a nasty odor your
child may be trying to distance herself from.
“I’m too hot!”
With good intentions, some hats are designed
to stay on so that the brim hugs the child’s head,
optimizing the chances of the hat staying put.
However, while that pressure helps to keep the
hat on, unfortunately, this design traps heat
around little heads.
Hat Trick: Opt for a hat that is designed
to ‘sit’ gently on your child’s head, such as a bonnet or bucket style that allows air to flow freely.
“Simon says!”
Remember the first time your child used a gesture or phrase that sounded like it came straight
out of your mouth? That’s because children
learn by imitation, and modeling your choices is
no exception.