It is important to develop healthy habits for kids as early as possible. As a parent, you can encourage your kids to develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. Healthy habits in children can be started from food choices and their physical activities. It is also will prevent them from diseases and strengthen their immune system.
Here are some tips for you to start developing healthy habits for kids:
Be a good role model
Children tend to follow anything their parents do. It doesn’t mean that parents have to be perfect, but if you consume healthy foods and getting physically active, your children will follow those habits. Through your activities you can send messages to them that being healthy is important for now and forever.
Get active each day
Regular physical activity is important for everyone. As for kids, physical activity can help their healthy growth, development and well-being. Children should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, including vigorous activities. Being physically active doesn’t mean that kids should do heavy sports; you can take them to fun activities. Look at where you can take your kids for such activities here.
Pick healthy snacks
Kids love snacking, but the wrong snack choice can lead them to obesity which is obviously the opposite of healthy habits for kids. Rather than dictate the foods your kids should eat, you can make a food choices for the whole family. This practice will help your children learn how to make healthy food choices. Just leave the unhealthy soda, chips, and cakes at the supermarket and fill your fridge with more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. Occasional unhealthy snacking is okay if it is not too much.
Oral health
Healthy mouth and teeth are an important part of a child’s wellness. You can develop the habit of brushing their teeth two times a day. You also can tell them the importance of visiting the dentist regularly, as it can help them to prevent dental cavities or other dental problems to come.
Sleep cycle
Healthy lifestyle is not always only about physical activities and healthy foods. Sleep is just as important to your children’s development and well being. The amount of quality of sleep they have can affect their safety, their alertness, as well as their memories, moods, behavior, and learning abilities—which are all important for children.
Eat meals together
When everyone sits down together to eat, you will have more control to what your kids eat and how much they eat. But the more important thing is that your family can have a pleasant mealtime with conversation and sharing. This step will also discourage kids to eat meals or snacks while watching TV. Having meals while watching TV may make it difficult to pay attention to feelings of fullness, and may lead to overeating.
Encourage them to drink more water
Human need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and this habit should be developed as early as possible. Don’t let your kids get too attached to sweetened drinks or soda, as they have been linked to the increased rates of obesity in children.
So those are the tips you should follow in order to promote healthy habits for kids.
