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Heart Sunburst Painting | Watercolor Painting with Kids

Home » Art » Heart Sunburst Painting | Watercolor Painting with Kids

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Our heart sunburst painting idea makes watercolor painting with kids super fun and encourages kids to fully experience color through creative play and experimentation.

With the option to use our sunburst printable templates, children are free to learn how to use and apply watercolor paint through experimentation. The heart art project is open to many learning outcomes and can be applied to studying color, color creation, blending, watercolor application and mixed media composition.

Kids’ will love the simplicity of this art project, that allows for their creativity to be freely applied and explored. The sunburst can be a simple color study, with children playing with a few colors to create different shades and tones OR it may evolve into a full cool/warm, doodle and abstract extravaganza – the key objective of this sunburst painting idea is to have fun and play.

This is a great art project to try with the kids at home or within the classroom, and is guaranteed to produce colorful results!

Watercolor Painting with Kids:

Watercolor paint is a fantastic medium for children who are learning to paint. They’re so much fun to use and are a great way for children to explore and fully experience colors.

Playing with water to paint ratios and mixing colors will create lots of interesting results and textures, which adds an immersive and experimental element to the process.

Watercolor Dots

Before delving into the heart art project, Arty Crafty Kids should spend a few minutes getting familiar with the watercolor paint…

Take a sheet of card stock or watercolor paper and experiment with water ratios.

Start with one color and apply a tiny amount of water to the brush and paint a dot. With such little water, the color will be bold and difficult to spread. The edges of the dot may also be rough and jagged in appearance.

Next, apply more water to the brush and spread the paint onto the inside of the mixing tin or mixing palette.

Paint a second dot. With just a little extra water, the dot should retain the bold pigment of the paint, but will be noticeably easier to spread and the outline of the dot will be smooth.

Little by little, continue adding water to the paint on the mixing palette. Create a new dot with each water addition and observe how the color dilutes with each application.

Challenge – How many new shades can Arty Crafty Kids create of each color on their watercolor palette?

Paint the Rainbow

Using the dot process, Arty Crafty Kids may advance their exploration of color and fill the sunburst template with all the colors of the rainbow to create a striking piece of heart art!

Heart Sunburst Watercolor Painting for Kids: A Step by Step Tutorial

Materials

• White card stock, watercolor or mixed media paper
• Watercolor Paint Palette
• Acrylic Paint
• Black Marker Pen
• Optional: Fine Tipped Black Ben & Colored Marker Pens

Download the Sunburst Templates:

The templates are available to members of the Arty Crafty Kids club. 
Members will need to log in to access the templates: https://www.artycraftykids.com/product/heart-art-sunburst-templates/

Not A Member?

Watch the Heart Sunburst Painting Video Tutorial:

Let’s Make Heart Art!

Draw the Sunburst Lines Around the Heart

Select a heart sunburst template to print onto white card stock or watercolor/mixed media paper.

Our example features the heart without a sunburst!

How to Draw a Sunburst

Using a ruler and a black marker pen (or pencil), start by dividing the page in half with a single vertical line.

Next, draw a series of angled lines around the heart.

Arty Crafty Kids are free to measure the distance between lines, increase or decrease their density OR just go with what feels right. This is an opportunity for children to again experiment and add a little math to their art.

Heart Sunburst Painting: Apply the Watercolor Paints

Once the sunburst is drawn, it’s time to add some color!

How to Blend Watercolor Paint

The rays of the sunburst are open to experimentation and all colors.

To create a graduation of color and shade within a ray, apply the darkest color (red) first along the border of the heart and spread just a few cm’s away from the first stroke. Then add a lighter second color (orange) to join the first and again spread. Repeat with the a final color (yellow) to complete the ray.

Next, brush over the ray with a small amount of water to help blend the colors.

Use the Sunburst to Explore Color and Tone

The sunburst painting idea can be tailored to many artistic and creative learning outcomes.
Here, we’re experimenting with color graduations and contrasts between cool and warm tones.

Once the sunburst is brimming with color, paint the heart one solid color (ideally with acrylic paint) to create a “pop art” effect.

Fill the Sunburst Rays with Doodle Patterns

Another way to expand the heart sunburst project is to draw doodles within the rays!

Drawing patterns and lines spontanously is a great way for children to engage their creativity. It’s fabulous for relaxation and will bring an element mindfulness to the creative process.

Watercolor Painting with Kids: Techniques they’ll Love to Try!

Watercolor paints are easy to use, inexpensive, create beautiful colors and can be applied in lots of fun and experimental ways.  

Our Favourite Watercolor Techniques… 

The Arty Crafty Kids have tried and tested many watercolor techniques. Here are a few of our favorites: 

Watercolor Wet on Wet Application 

The easiest and most common watercolor technique for kids to try! Very simply, start by brushing a light layer of clean water across the page. Next, apply the watercolor paint onto the wet paper. Add a second (or however many you like) color to the paper and watch the paint mix, creating gorgeous watery patterns as the colors meet. Kids will be mesmerised by this process. If you try wet on wet watercolor painting at home, I recommend using liquid watercolors or tubed watercolors mixed with water (just make sure the colors are dark enough before painting). 

Watercolor Salt Painting 

This is another fascinating process and one we’ve explored time and time again on the blog (salt painted butterfly). Use one of our animal templates and add a layer PVA glue from a squeezy bottle along the outline.  Cover the glue with salt and remove the excess. Next, dip the paintbrush into some watercolor paint and dab it directly onto the salt. The paint will quickly spread across the salt. Dab lots of different colors across the salty lines and watch the colors blend. 

Watercolor Resist Painting 

Watercolor resist can be explored with black ( or white)glue, melted crayon, tape,yarn, oil pastel and wax crayon.

More Paintings Ideas for Kids:

If you are looking for more fun, easy and engaging painting ideas for kids, take a look at these popular ideas!

Alternative Education | Sunburst Youth Academy

Orange County Dept. of Education

Marisol – Sunburst Youth Academy

Sunburst Youth Academy

Episode 1 – Day one of the Academy

For six months, CBS News has followed a group of high school dropouts who received a second chance through a boot camp run by the National Guard.
Michael Scott, the First Sergeant of a National Guard boot camp for troubled teens, is in charge of the 28 sergeants who’ve made it their life’s mission to turn at-risk students’ lives around.
Troubled teens who used to see F’s and D’s on their report cards are now proudly boasting A’s and B’s.
Second Chances are what the Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy program is all about. Sponsored by the California National Guard and the State of California, the Youth Challenge facility has graduated more than 2,000 teenagers since 1998 and more than 1,700 have earned their GED or a high school diploma after attending this 22-week residential program. The National HS graduation rate is 78% while it is 72.5% in California. If you know of teenager that could use a second chance to turn their life around – please tell them about this program.

Sunburst Youth Academy

Episode 2 – Cadets get to test their fears and overcome them on the Confidence Course

For six months, CBS News has followed a group of high school dropouts who received a second chance through a boot camp run by the National Guard.
Michael Scott, the First Sergeant of a National Guard boot camp for troubled teens, is in charge of the 28 sergeants who’ve made it their life’s mission to turn at-risk students’ lives around.
Troubled teens who used to see F’s and D’s on their report cards are now proudly boasting A’s and B’s.
Second Chances are what the Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy program is all about. Sponsored by the California National Guard and the State of California, the Youth Challenge facility has graduated more than 2,000 teenagers since 1998 and more than 1,700 have earned their GED or a high school diploma after attending this 22-week residential program. The National HS graduation rate is 78% while it is 72.5% in California. If you know of teenager that could use a second chance to turn their life around – please tell them about this program.

Sunburst Youth Academy

Episode 3 – The families her to see the changes in your children – Family Day

For six months, CBS News has followed a group of high school dropouts who received a second chance through a boot camp run by the National Guard.
Michael Scott, the First Sergeant of a National Guard boot camp for troubled teens, is in charge of the 28 sergeants who’ve made it their life’s mission to turn at-risk students’ lives around.
Troubled teens who used to see F’s and D’s on their report cards are now proudly boasting A’s and B’s.
Second Chances are what the Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy program is all about. Sponsored by the California National Guard and the State of California, the Youth Challenge facility has graduated more than 2,000 teenagers since 1998 and more than 1,700 have earned their GED or a high school diploma after attending this 22-week residential program. The National HS graduation rate is 78% while it is 72.5% in California. If you know of teenager that could use a second chance to turn their life around – please tell them about this program.

Sunburst Youth Academy

Episode 4 – Parents to get see the progress their cadets made and How it helps

For six months, CBS News has followed a group of high school dropouts who received a second chance through a boot camp run by the National Guard.
Michael Scott, the First Sergeant of a National Guard boot camp for troubled teens, is in charge of the 28 sergeants who’ve made it their life’s mission to turn at-risk students’ lives around.
Troubled teens who used to see F’s and D’s on their report cards are now proudly boasting A’s and B’s.
Second Chances are what the Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy program is all about. Sponsored by the California National Guard and the State of California, the Youth Challenge facility has graduated more than 2,000 teenagers since 1998 and more than 1,700 have earned their GED or a high school diploma after attending this 22-week residential program. The National HS graduation rate is 78% while it is 72.5% in California. If you know of teenager that could use a second chance to turn their life around – please tell them about this program.

Sunburst Youth Academy

Episode 5 – Cadets get their first taste of their old communities while on Home Pass

For six months, CBS News has followed a group of high school dropouts who received a second chance through a boot camp run by the National Guard.
Michael Scott, the First Sergeant of a National Guard boot camp for troubled teens, is in charge of the 28 sergeants who’ve made it their life’s mission to turn at-risk students’ lives around.
Troubled teens who used to see F’s and D’s on their report cards are now proudly boasting A’s and B’s.
Second Chances are what the Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy program is all about. Sponsored by the California National Guard and the State of California, the Youth Challenge facility has graduated more than 2,000 teenagers since 1998 and more than 1,700 have earned their GED or a high school diploma after attending this 22-week residential program. The National HS graduation rate is 78% while it is 72.5% in California. If you know of teenager that could use a second chance to turn their life around – please tell them about this program.

Sunburst Youth Academy

Episode 6 – The Cadre explain why they do what they do

For six months, CBS News has followed a group of high school dropouts who received a second chance through a boot camp run by the National Guard.
Michael Scott, the First Sergeant of a National Guard boot camp for troubled teens, is in charge of the 28 sergeants who’ve made it their life’s mission to turn at-risk students’ lives around.
Troubled teens who used to see F’s and D’s on their report cards are now proudly boasting A’s and B’s.
Second Chances are what the Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy program is all about. Sponsored by the California National Guard and the State of California, the Youth Challenge facility has graduated more than 2,000 teenagers since 1998 and more than 1,700 have earned their GED or a high school diploma after attending this 22-week residential program. The National HS graduation rate is 78% while it is 72.5% in California. If you know of teenager that could use a second chance to turn their life around – please tell them about this program.

Sunburst Youth Academy

The Final Episode – After Sunburst

For six months, CBS News has followed a group of high school dropouts who received a second chance through a boot camp run by the National Guard.
Michael Scott, the First Sergeant of a National Guard boot camp for troubled teens, is in charge of the 28 sergeants who’ve made it their life’s mission to turn at-risk students’ lives around.
Troubled teens who used to see F’s and D’s on their report cards are now proudly boasting A’s and B’s.
Second Chances are what the Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy program is all about. Sponsored by the California National Guard and the State of California, the Youth Challenge facility has graduated more than 2,000 teenagers since 1998 and more than 1,700 have earned their GED or a high school diploma after attending this 22-week residential program. The National HS graduation rate is 78% while it is 72.5% in California. If you know of teenager that could use a second chance to turn their life around – please tell them about this program.

sunbathing precautions

The question of the effect of sunlight on the children’s body traditionally arises in the period of late spring – early summer. We will not stay away from heated discussions and try to figure out once again what the benefits and harms of the sun are for humans.

The level of solar radiation has been increasing in the last few decades due to the thinning of the ozone layer. This leads to general health problems and even to the development of serious diseases. At the same time, it is widely believed that sunbathing has a positive effect on immunity and increases the child’s resistance to colds. So how exactly is the sun useful, and what is the harm? Let’s figure it out.

Benefits of the sun for children and adults

• The positive effect of sunlight on humans has been scientifically proven. The sun contributes to the production of serotonin – the “hormone of happiness”, which is responsible for raising mood, reducing stress levels.
• Antiseptic properties of sunlight – the skin becomes cleaner under their influence, acne and dermatoses of various origins decrease (or disappear altogether).
• Sleep normalization. The sun regulates the production of a special substance – melatonin, which is responsible for maintaining the human biological rhythm.
• The sun triggers the synthesis of vitamin D, an extremely useful trace element for the healthy development of a child. It participates in mineral metabolism and “directs” calcium to connective bone tissue. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of rickets.
• Vitamin D Boosts Immunity: Pediatricians often note a link between low levels of the vitamin in children and frequent illnesses during the autumn and winter.

However, you don’t have to spend too much time in the sun to get enough vitamin D. In summer, spending a few minutes a day outdoors is enough. In less sunny seasons – a little longer. You don’t have to sunbathe. Playing ball in the yard or a walk in the park will raise your vitamin D levels just as well.

Sun damage to humans

The sun is harmful to health with ultraviolet radiation – UVA and UVB rays. They affect the skin in different ways. More harmful UVA (long) rays cause premature aging and neoplasms on the skin, UVB (medium) is the main cause of burns.

Eyes

Excessive UV radiation causes damage to the cornea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe eye (photokeratitis), which destroys the skin of the eyelids, the ocular mucosa, the iris, and the lens. Possible loss of visual acuity. It is worth remembering that the eyes of a child are more vulnerable than those of an adult – a child’s lens transmits up to 75% of harmful UVA rays, while in an adult no more than 10% of the rays “pass” through the lens.

Overheating

Children, playing on the beach or chasing a ball in the yard, do not immediately notice the poor health caused by overheating. This is a failure in the life of the body due to a violation of water and salt metabolism. The malaise is accompanied by fever, sweating, headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea.

The extreme degree of overheating is heat stroke with an extremely high body temperature (up to 41 ◦ C), with loss of consciousness, confused speech. In our article on heat stroke in a child, we talk in detail about the causes of this condition, the symptoms, and how to provide first aid for heat stroke.

Sunburn

The child, due to the unformed light-protective layer of the skin, is especially sensitive to sunlight and can get burned – an inflammatory reaction of the skin to thermal energy. The burn is accompanied by reddening of the skin, burning, and with a strong lesion, blisters appear.

Heat rash (prickly heat)

With strong heating of the body, clogging of the pores on the skin and sweating delay provoke the appearance of a rash (pimples, blisters). The rash usually appears on the neck, elbows, chest, in the area between the shoulder blades, in the groin area. Infants and children are more prone to prickly heat because the pores on their skin are not as enlarged as in adults. Special powders help relieve symptoms and return the skin to a healthy state. For example, Powder-cream My Sunshine® will dry the skin, relieve itching and redness.

Melanoma

The sun interferes with the functioning of skin cells. Especially heavy damage is caused by UV rays to children’s thin skin, it has a lot of actively dividing stem cells. They are the main target for damage by ultraviolet rays. Sunburn in childhood significantly (according to some sources, almost twice) increases the risk of developing melanoma throughout life.

Precautions to take while sunbathing

It turns out that in order to get the maximum benefit from the sun, you need to properly protect yourself. We remember this paradox, as well as recommendations that are universal for adults and children:

Safe time for sunbathing

Refrain from walking during the hours of maximum solar activity. Older children and prudent adults should avoid the sun from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. At this time, it is better to hide in the shade or just stay at home. And babies up to six months (and sometimes up to a year) should not be in direct sunlight at all.

Proper clothing and accessories for sun protection

The main summer accessory is a headdress. It can be a wide-brimmed hat or special baseball caps that cover not only the face, but also the ears with the neck and shoulders.

Another fashion accessory is sunglasses. Choose models with glasses that reflect UV rays (look for the corresponding mark on the glasses). And the choice of color, shape and design can be entrusted to the child.

From clothes, spacious T-shirts, shirts and trousers made of natural fabrics in light shades are perfect. Summer is the time to dress your baby in white and beige.

Recently, sun protection clothing has been gaining popularity. It provides additional protection against ultraviolet radiation due to special impregnation and special weaving of threads. Clothing made from such fabrics is marked with UPF marking – a letter designation on the label and a UPF coefficient of 30 and higher. Sun protection T-shirts and overalls are a great solution for playing in the water, they provide good protection for the back, shoulders and chest.

Shoes are rarely seen as protection from the sun, and this is wrong. The sun threatens the upper surface of the foot no less than the nose. Therefore, it is better to choose sandals that will cover this sensitive area.

Special skin protection: how to choose the right product?

Sunscreens are a real summer must have, and you can’t do without them.

In no case do not use adult sunscreen cosmetics for children, choose only children’s. Pay attention to age restrictions.

A good modern cosmetic should contain filters that block UVA and UVB rays. Pay attention to the following indicators, and do not confuse them, please:

• SPF is the main characteristic of the protective ability of a cosmetic product. But only from UVB rays! The higher the SPF, the stronger the UVB protection.
• PPD – UVA protection rating. The maximum value of this indicator is 42. The minimum value for serious protection is 8. Sometimes they also use the Japanese system and the PA scale with “+” signs after the letters (PA +++, at least three “+”).

Protection factor SPF choose products according to the phototype of the child. The lighter the skin and eyes, the more protection will be required. You can reduce the degree of protection after a few days of exposure to the sun, when the skin adapts. Blue-eyed blondes need a high protection factor, from SPF 50+. For them, a cream from the My Sunshine® series of sunscreens with protection factor SPF 50+, which was created specifically for children, is suitable. Allowed from 12 months.

Dark-eyed brunettes first need SPF 30, and after a week at the sea or in the country, twenty will do. Pay attention to Moe Sunshine® SPF 30 and 20 creams, SPF 30 spray. The products of this sunscreen series include safe sunscreens, natural plant ingredients and vitamin E, which carefully protect delicate baby skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. For ease and convenience of application, sun spray SPF 30 is suitable, which is quickly absorbed and contains an additional moisturizing and protective component – D-panthenol.

Choose waterproof products. Creams My Sunshine® will not wash off with water and will survive several baths. Do not forget to renew the product every two hours, and if the baby sweats or bathes for a long time, even more often. Apply the cream liberally, this is the case when the amount matters.

Creams are good, but don’t forget the My Sunshine® sunscreen lip balm. It can be applied to the sensitive T-zone (forehead and nose) as well as to the top of the cheeks for extra protection.

If the child has been in the sun for too long or you notice the first signs of a sunburn (redness of the skin, soreness of damaged areas), use the gel and after-sun milk My Sunshine®. The gel contains aloe vera extract, panthenol and allantoin, which help to instantly cool the skin and relieve discomfort. Milk with the addition of plant extracts and a complex of vitamins softens and moisturizes the affected areas.

All products of the “solar” series are designed specifically to care for delicate baby skin and are recommended by pediatricians for use from 3 months or from 1 year.

Misconceptions about the properties of ultraviolet rays

Well, in the end, we will dispel five common ideas about the effects of the sun on the human body, which are far from the truth.

• All sunbeams are the same.

The main negative effect of the sun on the human body comes from ultraviolet or UV rays, namely from UVA and UVB rays. They cause various skin problems. UVA provoke skin melanoma, enlargement and change of moles and premature aging, UVB cause skin burns. They need protection from them.

• What is the use of the sun if sunscreen cosmetics block the production of vitamin D

Sunscreen cosmetics prevent the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays, and do not affect the synthesis of vitamin D. Under sunscreen, vitamin D is produced without any risk to the skin.

• Even a small amount of sunscreen helps to effectively protect the skin.

For effective protection, the skin of the child must be covered with such a layer of cream that there are no gaps and poorly treated areas. Apply enough cream. If you are using a spray, apply it several times to create a dense coverage on the skin.

• The higher the protection factor of the cream, the less often it needs to be renewed.

Regardless of the level of SPF cream, it must be renewed every two hours, and if the child sweats a lot or bathes for a long time, even more often.

• Organic (mineral) sunscreens are not safe for children.

Organic filters absorb the sun’s rays due to their chemical composition. Some of the components may be absorbed into the skin, however, there is no confirmed information about side effects.

In our article “Sunscreen Myths for Kids” we continue to uncover the topic, debunk fears and “blind spots” of ignorance about the effect of sunscreens.

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Children’s skin and the sun: what you need to know

Why direct sunlight is better to avoid and what to do in case of overheating and sunburn

The sun gives a good mood and promotes health. However, in addition to benefits, its rays can be harmful, and first of all, this applies to delicate children’s skin. Pediatric dermatologist, doctor of the highest category Natalia Zhovtan tells what rules parents should follow on sunny days and on a beach holiday.

The solar regime depends on age

Russia is a northern country, and in most of its territory there are not so many sunny days a year. At the same time, natural light is one of the conditions for the formation of vitamin D in our body. It is also called the “growth vitamin” because of its role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are important for the proper development of bones and teeth. In addition, the benefits of the vitamin for the immune system and cell division have been proven. At the same time, 60% of Russian young children are deficient in vitamin D.

Most of it is produced naturally in our skin by exposure to sunlight. At the same time, dietary supplements and vitamin complexes are a half-way solution, because vitamin D is poorly absorbed from food. However, there is one nuance here.

In order for the body to produce vitamin D, direct contact with the sun’s rays is not at all necessary – neither for children nor for adults. Enough partial shade and diffused light – for example, under a canopy or trees. Ultraviolet rays also get there in sufficient quantities, reflected from the ground, foliage and other surfaces. Therefore, by the way, there is no reason to sunbathe under the scorching sun: a tan is formed even in the shade, while it turns out to be more even and beautiful.

Special category – children under 3 years of age. Their skin is very thin, very susceptible to the sun, and its protective functions have not yet been formed, so direct contact with direct sunlight is contraindicated for babies. Aggressive ultraviolet easily penetrates deep into the skin and can cause sunburn even in a few minutes. So with babies and young children, it is better to walk in the morning or in the evening along the shady side of the street and use an umbrella from the sun.

Danger time and additional protection

On a hot summer day, it is generally undesirable for children (and adults, too) to be in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you still need to go outside or the child asks to go for a walk or to the beach, sunscreens, sprays and lotions should be used for additional protection. They reflect some of the ultraviolet radiation, preventing sunburn and skin cancer.

For children, it is better to choose hypoallergenic products without dyes and fragrances with a high level of protection (SPF) – 50 and above. The younger the child, the higher the level of protection should be. And you need to keep in mind that even products with SPF 100 (their manufacturers claim complete reflection of harmful radiation) lose their protective properties quite quickly, especially when the skin comes into contact with sand and water, so after 2 hours they must be applied again. Although there are special waterproof beach products, they also need to be updated every 2-3 hours.

It is better to choose a children’s sunscreen together with a dermatologist or pediatrician, while focusing on the assortment presented in a pharmacy, and not in a supermarket. Although such funds are a little more expensive, they are certified and provide reliable protection.

If a child has sunstroke

Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause sunstroke, especially in children, because their thin skin quickly dehydrates. Unlike adults, they cannot yet monitor their condition and feelings themselves, so parents have to constantly monitor the child: how long he was in the sun, whether his head and shoulders were covered, when sunscreen was last applied, whether the baby feels well. The basic rules are known to everyone, but not everyone follows them, so let us remind you once again: light-colored clothes with long sleeves, a hat, drinking plenty of water.

Sunstroke or heatstroke, in fact – overheating of the body and primarily the brain. Moreover, it can be obtained even in the shade, just two factors are enough – hot weather and lack of fluid in the body.

Its main symptoms are lethargy and dizziness, sometimes nausea. Young children may become anxious and cry. To alleviate the condition of the child, it is necessary to isolate him from the sun and lay him down, give him a cool (but not too cold) drink. Plain still water is best, sweet soda is worst. You can dampen clothes with cool water or apply a cold compress to your forehead, arms, legs, or underarms. This will quickly cool the body and bring the child to his senses.

If the child is sunburned

Sunburn occurs when exposed to direct sunlight, when the skin’s defense mechanisms cannot cope with the received dose of ultraviolet radiation and the deep layers of the skin are damaged. Moreover, in summer you can get it not only on the beach, but also in the sandbox in the yard of your house, and in winter, for example, in the mountains. Ears, the tip of the nose, face, shoulders and chest are especially easily burned.

People with fair skin and hair are most susceptible to sunburn. Another risk factor is long games in the water. After all, water reflects the sun’s rays, enhancing their effect on the skin.

The main problem with sunburn is delayed symptoms. They do not occur immediately, but by the evening or even the next day (usually 4-6 hours after exposure). This is redness of the skin, a burning or tingling sensation in the affected areas, in extreme cases, blisters and vomiting. The child feels weak or, conversely, anxious, his body temperature may rise slightly. In this case, children’s ibuprofen, paracetamol or other antipyretics will help.

To help with sunburn, first you need to provide shade, cool the skin and stop the loss of moisture: give a drink (recommendations are the same as for sunstroke) and apply a cold compress to the affected areas of the body. Then apply a healing agent with corticosteroids (cream, gel or lotion, but not ointment – fatty agents create a film on the skin and lead to an increase in temperature). For example, the Fenistil gel (can be used from the age of two months) and the Advantan emulsion (from six months) have proven themselves well. If you apply them in the first hours after the burn, you can significantly alleviate the condition.

Any mild moisturizer will also help stop skin from losing moisture. But sunscreen cream or oil after the fact should not be used. Contrary to popular belief, they (and any oils in general) will only delay healing.

It is necessary to protect the child from the sun until the redness disappears on the burned areas. During this period, it is better to choose light, loose and soft clothes made from natural fabrics. If, despite all efforts, the child’s condition does not improve after 6 hours, antipyretics do not work and the temperature continues to rise, or if it comes to blisters, call a doctor or an ambulance.

Photo: Collection/iStock

How much sun is good for your child? – DW – 06/24/2020

Photo: picture-alliance/imagebroker/H. Kühbach

Culture

Marina Borisova

06/24/2020 June 24, 2020

Do not rush to answer. Be sure to read this interview with a leading German expert.

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Summer and the sun warm not only the body, but also the soul. Agree, from the mere thought that your child will bask in the sun, whether at his grandmother’s cottage or on the beach, when the coronavirus pandemic is over and summer vacation will be the same as before. And now it’s time to say: be careful! Do not forget that the sun also carries a threat to health. German experts never tire of reminding us of this as part of the “Clever in Sonne und Schatten – für Grundschulen” campaign. The primary school campaign complements the kindergarten programs that have been successfully implemented by the National Cancer Research Center (Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen Dresden, NCT/UCC) for the past two years. In an interview with DW, Friederike Stölzel, head of the Center for Preventive Measures at the National Institute, spoke with concrete examples about how much sun is good for children. Friederike Stölzel is not only a scientist, a psychotherapist, but also a mother of three children. According to her, the topic of UV protection accompanies her family on every vacation.

DW: The summer holidays are starting in Germany. Children will spend a lot of time outdoors and in the sun. How much sun is useful ?

Friederike Stölzel Photo: NCT/UCC

Friederike Stölzel : The sun is important for the health of both adults and children. Children want to play outside, parents love it when children spend time in the fresh air – all this can be done if you behave correctly. And here, as often happens in life, measure is important. Therefore, our recommendation to children is this: spend a lot of time in the sun, but do not forget about protective equipment.

– Parents always want specifics. How many minutes, hours can a child be allowed to play in the sun ?

– First rule: it is important to avoid direct sunlight at lunchtime. This is especially true for the period from April to September. We are talking about a specific period of time: two hours before and after the sun is at its zenith. Of course, the child can be in the shade at this time. You can walk a lot in the morning and evening. Therefore, in kindergartens, they try to take children for a walk before 11 and after three in the afternoon.

– Is it necessary to apply sunscreen to children?

– When children are in the sun, it is a must. There is ultraviolet radiation even at the time favorable for walking. After all, the main source of this radiation is the sun. In addition, we recommend dressing according to the weather: on sunny days, wear loose T-shirts, light trousers, long dresses or skirts, and be sure to wear a hat. And sunglasses, of course, with young children this is not always possible. That is, the main means of protecting children from the harmful effects of the sun is clothing. Next up is sunscreen. It is applied to the surface of the skin, unprotected by clothing.

– In Germany, you can often find parents who generously anoint their children and put on protective clothing even when swimming in the sea or in the pool. But there are parents who obviously do not quite understand why such strict precautions are needed when you can just enjoy the warm weather.

– Sunscreens, when applied, penetrate into the upper layers of the epidermis and work there. Therefore, we say that the best remedy for children is the right clothes. We treat open places with cream.

– And how much cream does baby skin need?

– Many studies show that we apply sunscreen too thinly. It is recommended to do this twice: in the morning and in the afternoon. How? If we apply the cream only on the hands, then a teaspoon. Based on the entire body of a preschool child – six teaspoons. An adult needs about three tablespoons.

– Sometimes it happens that the cream falls like a film and shines in the sun…

– There are two different types of cream. Products may contain chemical sunscreens and physical (mineral) sunscreens. The former work as ray absorbers, the latter as reflectors. This function is just performed by the resulting film, which is visible to the naked eye. When using protection with chemical filters, it is important to remember that they must be applied half an hour before going out.

For children we recommend a cream with an SPF of 30 or higher. Babies should generally avoid direct sunlight. If the child is still in the sun, then the protection factor should be at least 50. Pay attention to the fact that the product for children protects from two types of ultraviolet rays – spectra A and B. Better without aromatic additives. It is important that the protective equipment used does not contain alcohol, it dries the skin. In general, we know that sun protection products for children are subject to very strict control in Germany, so the price is not a determining criterion here.

– I suppose you have heard the remark more than once that you didn’t smear so much before. Science has come a long way today. We know that skin cancer is one of the most common cancers. Every year in Germany, 227 thousand new cases are registered. 37 thousand of them are melanoma. This is a very aggressive look. And the leading risk factor is just ultraviolet radiation. WHO puts it on a par with tobacco products and asbestos. The skin of children needs to be protected, since the damage received in childhood leads to oncological diseases in adulthood.