It is more than just genes that we parents pass down to our kids. Children can pick up our habits as well ━ both good and bad. No matter how you tell your kids what habits to practice, they would not heed such unless we set ourselves as an example.
Encourage Exercise and Imaginative Play
One of the major causes of childhood obesity and illness is lack of physical activity. Ingrain in your kids at a young age that they need to be physically active. Make it a more enjoyable activity by involving the whole family. You can schedule a daily hour walk or a weekly bicycle ride across a trail.
Wash Hands Frequently
The simplest act of handwashing could make a huge difference in one’s health. Teach your children the value of washing hands before meals, after using the bathroom, after playing with pets, and after sneezing and coughing. You may create a special song with your kids to make handwashing a more fun activity.
Eat Healthy Meals and Snacks
We all know that a healthy diet is the foundation of good health. Being parents means also embracing a healthier diet for your kids to follow. To make meals less boring, you may consider looking up online healthy recipes that look good mouth-watering at the same time nutritious enough for your kids to feast on.
but Do Not Ban Junk Food
Most health-conscious parents would ban their children from eating any junk food. But, more often this strategy fires back as kids crave more the food which is forbidden. The solution? Allow your family to indulge in occasional junk food. With the “forbidden food” losing its mystery, kids would see it as just another food.
Read Everyday
Having strong reading skills is crucial not only in your kid’s academic success but also later on in life. Make reading a habit by incorporating it into your kids’ bedtime and playtime routine. As early as six months of age, open your children’s eyes to the wonders of reading. To make it enjoyable, opt to read the books they like.
Drink Water
The message is simple: water is healthy, unlike sodas. Although children could not yet understand why too much sugar is bad for one’s health, help them understand the concept in the simplest term. Soft drinks do not provide any nutrients in your body, whereas water is essential for one’s existence.
Enjoy a Family Dinner
In today’s busy world, it is rare to find families sitting together at the dinner table and enjoying a meal together. Nonetheless, amid the hectic schedules, try to schedule a regular family meal together. According to research, sharing a meal with your family encourages everyone to eat more nutritious meals.
Spend Time With Friends
Having friends at an early age is crucial as it fosters the healthy development of school-age kids. Friends teach children important social skills like cooperation, communication, and problem-solving. Furthermore, having friends could affect a child’s performance in school.
Keep Proper Hygiene
Observing good personal hygiene helps children stay healthy, fight off any illness, and build better self-consciousness. Apart from teaching your kids the importance of taking a shower every day, brushing one’s teeth, and the likes, take them to their physician and pediatric dentist for a regular check-up.
Encourage Getting Enough Sleep
Lastly, it would be best if you encouraged your children to get ample amounts of sleep. According to doctors, sleep-deprived children are more prone to catching germs and viruses. Even us, parents need to be reminded of such. Furthermore, with enough sleep, one feels more relaxed and focused the following day.
It is undeniable that we love our kids and we only want what is best for them. Show your kids how much you love them by practicing these healthy habits with them. As they grow older, they will carry on these nuggets of health advice and later on pass them down to their own children.