I am all about raising healthy children to see them thrive. Please welcome this guest post by the lovely Savechildren.info…
When it comes to teaching kids healthy habits, parents need to pave the way and serve as role
models. Additionally, it’s important to accept that helping kids adopt habits is a long-term
process in which patience and consistency are key. This article from Safechildren.info will explore
the steps you can take to teach your child some important healthy habits.
Create a Positive Environment
One of the keys to encouraging change is providing your child a positive environment that is
calm, yet stimulating and allows them to learn and grow at their own pace. The environment
should be well-equipped for catering to all their interests whether it be academic, athletic, or
artistic. Here are a few ways to create a healthy home environment:
● Regularly clean and declutter. A cluttered home is a known cause of stress and
reduces one’s ability to focus and learn. Overcome this predicament by regularly
cleaning your home. This can include discarding all excess belongings, maintaining a
habit of cleaning up after yourself post any activity, and having an organized system for
each room.
● Spend time outdoors. Being outside with Mother Nature is a natural stress buster. Plan
to utilize your home’s outdoor space daily for leisure or play. Additionally, you can bring
nature indoors by adding plants such as the garden mum, snake plant, and Boston fern
around your home.
● Promote a positive mindset. Your child will adapt their behavior and habits based on
your actions. Hence, maintain a positive attitude towards situations, whether it be good
or bad. This will result in kids having a natural positive mindset and high self-esteem.
Focus on Healthy Eating
Involving kids in the kitchen is a great way for them to learn about nutrition, get familiar with
ingredients, and be open to trying new things. There is no question that your child’s eating
habits will be inspired by yours. Here are a few ways to help them adopt good eating habits:
● Model moderation and balance. Limit your intake of caffeine. Replace the morning
coffee ritual with tea, fruits, and fresh juices.
● Provide healthy alternatives. When it comes to snacking, avoid buying processed
chips, though being tasty they are devoid of nutrition. Some healthy alternatives include
yogurt, trail mix, popcorn, whole-grain crackers, and peanut butter.
For fussy eaters, the best way to engage them in healthy eating is to make their meals rainbow-
colored. This involves adding fruits, vegetables, and meats to have a plate with the colors red,
green, yellow, white, and more.
Promote Daily Reading
Reading is the best way for kids to learn new skills, develop interests and grow intellectually.
When it comes to reading, give your child complete freedom to choose what they like, which can
span from fantasy to biographies, novels to comics, and everything in between. As reported by
Children’s Bureau, reading provides kids with numerous benefits, such as:
● Development of cognitive skills.
● Promotion of imagination and creativity.
● Creation of healthy attention spans.
It’s best to let kids take up reading at their own pace. As parents, you can develop the habit
through having a daily family reading time, where each member picks a book of their choice and
reads until they are satisfied.
Include Physical Activity
As all parents know, kids are bundles of energy. About Kids Health says that physical activity
should be included in a child’s daily routine as it is an integral part of their growth and development. Additionally, it is a great compliment to healthy eating, helping your child to learn
the basics of maintaining good health.
Here are a few ways you can cater to your child’s physical requirements:
● Go for daily family walks or cycling sessions.
● Allow your child to find a sport they love and enroll them for practice.
● Assign them chores such as gardening, cleaning outdoor spaces, running errands, and
more.
Be Consistent for Long-Term Change
When trying to help your child learn these habits, be open and flexible. Expect your child to ask
questions, provide some resistance, and not be consistent in their actions. Let them take their
time to adopt these habits while having your support every step of the way. Do your part by
modeling good behaviors and providing an environment in which they can explore and grow.
And remember that parenting – and behavior development – is a long game. There will be
setbacks, but stay the course. You and your child will appreciate it in the long run.
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