The school year is off to a great start and we want your children to stay healthy. Your children cannot avoid the germs that they are exposed to on a daily basis. Staying healthy can be very difficult, but not impossible. We've added a few tips below to help your children stay healthy this school year.

1. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. - Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Here's a quick chart from WebMD.com that breaks down the hours of sleep needed for different ages:

1-4 Weeks Old: 15 - 16 hours per day
1-4 Months Old: 14 - 15 hours per day
4-12 Months Old: 14 - 15 hours per day
1-3 Years Old: 12 - 14 hours per day
3-6 Years Old: 10 - 12 hours per day
7-12 Years Old: 10 - 11 hours per day
12-18 Years Old: 8 - 9 hours per day

2. Great Breakfast - A healthy breakfast to start the day is an absolute must for every child. Studies have shown that children who eat a good breakfast are more alert and participate more in school.

3. Wash Those Hands - Washing hands is an effective way to keep the germs away. Hand washing can protect against infection and illness. Make this a regular habit.

4. Eat Your Greens - Make sure your child eats plenty of healthy food and drinks plenty of water everyday. Healthy eating habits also develop from watching mom and dad. Model good eating as much as possible.

5. Get Active - Children should be active at least an hour per day. If possible, children should play outside everyday. Kids work on three fitness elements when active, endurance strength and flexibility. Parents should encourage their kids to do a variety of activities so that they can work on all three elements.

6. Check-up Time - Take your children to see the family physician annually and stay on top of the recommended immunizations.

7. Sick? Stay Home - If your child is feeling under the weather then keep them home for the day. You don't want to expose them to others who are sick or expose their classmates to them.