Newsletter - Head Start Happenings: May 2026

Miranda Osburn
May 21
3 min read

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Monthly Spotlight: Sun Safety

When kids are outdoors, it’s important to protect their skin from too much exposure to the

sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV rays), which can lead to skin cancer, skin damage and aging, and

eye injury.

How do Sunburns Happen?

UV rays react with a chemical called melanin in the skin. The lighter a child’s natural skin

color, the less melanin it has absorb UV rays and protect itself. Kids with darker skin have

more melanin. But regardless of their skin tone, all kids need protection from UV rays

because any tanning or burning causes skin damage.

A sunburn happens when the amount of UV exposure is greater than the protection of the

skin’s melanin. The longer someone stays in the sun and the stronger the sunlight is, the

greater the risk of damage. A tan is itself a sign of skin damage and does not help protect the skin.

How Can I protect My Child’s Skin?

Experts recommend that all kids-no matter their skin tone-wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30

or higher. Whatever sunscreen you choose, make sure it’s broad-spectrum (protects against

both UVA and UVB rays) and, if kids are in or near water, is labeled water-resistant. Apply a

generous amount and re-apply often.

Avoid the Strongest Rays of the Day

Try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its the strongest (usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in

the northern hemisphere). If kids are in the sun during this time, apply and reapply sunscreen-even if they’re just playing in the backyard. Most sun damage happens during day-to day activities because it’s easy to overlook using sunscreen then. Remember that even on cloudy, cool, or overcast days, UV rays reach the earth. This “invisible sun” can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.

Cover Up

One of the best ways to protect skin is to cover up. To see if they offer enough protection, putyour hand inside clothes to make sure you can’t see through them. Some clothes have an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) against the sun, so check the labels.

Nemours KidsHealth

Medically Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”

-Margaret Mead, American Anthropologist

Recipe: Strawberry Pizza

DIRECTIONS

1.Crust: Mix butter, powdered sugar (1/2 cup), flour-form into a ball, spread onto a pizza pan.

2.Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees and let cool. Keep an eye on the crust while cooking-you don’t want to overcook it. Remove the crust when it is golden.

3.Topping: Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar (1 cup), and cool whip-preferably using electric mixer. Spread this mixture over the crust after crust is cool.

4.On top of white topping, add entire container of glaze and top with sliced strawberries. (You can also mix the strawberries and glaze together and place it on top that way too.

5.Serve and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

CRUST

½ Cup melted butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour

TOPPING

8 ounces cream cheese (softened), 1 cup powdered sugar, 12 ounces

Cool Whip, 8 ounces strawberry glaze (can be found by strawberries in produce sections), and 1 quart of strawberries, sliced to look like discs so they will lay on the top of the pizza.