A parent or caregiver plays a significant role in shaping children’s eating and drinking habits. Children tend to mimic behaviors by watching you and the rest of their family members. Develop and follow healthy habits to enable kids to learn their importance. Below is a list of tips parents and caregivers can employ to maintain the health of their kids.
Practice Healthy Eating Habits
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should include dairy products, whole grains, and protein to improve the child’s ability to concentrate and focus. Breakfast is followed by a nutritious lunch including whole grains, lean meats, vegetables, and fruits that the kids love eating. Prepare a healthy snack for dinner and dine together to promote the well-being and health of children.
Keep Your Child Hydrated
Ensure your child drinks the recommended daily water intake to improve mood, prevent fatigue, maintain weight, facilitate digestion, and improve brain function. Healthy drink choices, including milk and water, should be promoted to the child, and eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages from the diet. Such drinks are often packed with unwanted stimulants and ingredients that result in weight gain and other related issues.
Ensure Your Kids Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is crucial for physical and mental health, improves the immune system, and allows the body to repair itself. Children who get enough sleep every night have healthy growth. If your kid is between six and 12 years old, 9-12 hours of night’s sleep is essential. Teens aged 13-18 require 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Parents and guardians can set a routine by turning off the lights at a fixed time each night and avoiding screen time before bedtime. Observe a relaxing bedtime routine, including listening to music or reading a book for a fixed duration.
Encourage Sports
Teenagers spend about nine hours daily in front of the television and smartphone. Spending most of the time in front of screens leads to a sedentary lifestyle which increases the risk of obesity. Consider encouraging the child to participate in physical activities such as cycling and outdoor sports. If you do not have outdoor facilities to facilitate physical activities, plan simple indoor games, including a treasure hunt, hula hoop, and constructing a tunnel with old cartons. Consider using exercise equipment, including indoor cycles, to get the kids active.
Regular Check-Ups
Make sure hearing and vision checks are included in your kid’s annual routine wellness visits. Hearing and vision impairments impact development and learning and lead to behavioral issues. Since 1 in 6 adults report having hearing trouble, you can help your child and catch any hearing issues early in their life to avoid trouble as they grow up. Keep track of your kid’s weight, height, sugar level, and blood pressure. Consult a pediatrician to develop the proper schedule to assess the health parameters of the child as per the health status and age. Since kids’ growth depends on various healthy habits, observing the recommended practices provides short-term gains and long-term advantages. Teach such patterns to the children gradually and set rules common to each person at home. Discuss healthy tips with your children and praise them for doing the right things to enhance lasting positive reinforcement.
Observe Oral Health
Ensure the kids brush their teeth twice daily, in the morning and night, before sleeping. Encourage the kids to floss at least once daily to remove stuck food particles between their teeth. Consult a dentist who guides you on how to teach your child the right way to brush. A dentist may recommend the ideal toothpaste and toothbrush depending on the child’s age. Reinforcing the importance of oral health with your child can help prevent the from being part of the 3.5 million kids and teenagers that start wearing braces each year or the 3.9 million children who see an orthodontist.
Observe Good Hygiene
Hygiene is as crucial as physical activity and a balanced diet. Observing proper hygiene such as hand washing, using tissues, and throwing away after coughing or sneezing keeps disease-causing germs at bay. Teach the kids the importance of washing their hands before eating their meals and after using the toilet.
Follow the above-listed steps to maintain the overall health of your child. Encourage the child to participate in sports daily and follow a balanced diet to secure a healthy present and future.
