7 Healthy Habits to Teach Kids from a Young Age
If you have children then you know being a parent is one of the toughest jobs in the world. If you don’t have children yet, then these tips for healthy habits should give you a head start with your child. From birth until approximately three years old, children are like sponges: They follow, listen, and literally mimic adults, so it’s best to set a smart example during these periods and after.
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1. Brush those teeth
Brushing your teeth is a healthy habit that should be taught as young as possible. Dr. Devor, who operates a dental office in Lakewood, OH, and his dental assistants agree that your child should start brushing as soon as you can make it happen. If you have a Medicaid plan for your child, you’re eligible to get dental implants, including crowns, for your kid if they begin eating too many sweets.
2. Eating well
As kids, most of us loved Halloween because of the unlimited amount of candy we could eat. But Halloween isn’t an every day occurence, so don’t allow your child to eat candy and sweets all the time. Teach them that eating can look like a colorful collage of different assorted foods. Also, try to add a fruit or vegetable into every meal you serve your child.
3. Getting exercise
Exercise should be an important part of your daily routine as you get older, and getting your kids into physical activities such as hiking, swimming, biking, or even martial arts will help them continue exercising into their adulthoods. You can enjoy most physical activities as a family, though your child should be about 7 to 8 years of age, according to the Mayo Clinic, before beginning any strength and weight training.
4. Staying positive
Keeping a positive frame of mind and being levelheaded is an important attribute that you should inspire in your child. Some studies show that it can help children build resilience and patience as they grow older. Avoid telling children what they aren’t able to do, and motivate them by letting them know what they can do.
5. Limiting screen time
Since many of us grew up immersed in technology, this can be a difficult guideline to enforce. But it can teach your child very valuable lessons, such as patience. You can start by making a routine out of their screen time; maybe they get an hour or two after school, then do their homework. By showing them that technology isn’t the only thing worth their time, you will help them develop educational and extracurricular interests. Do your best to have a daily check-in with your child to see how your child is feeling and engage them in the present.
6. Reading with your child every day
Some kids can’t get enough of reading, and for some, it’s difficult to get them to pick up a book. Reading with your kids every day can help them further develop their education and excel ahead of their class. It’s best to start reading to your child when they’re a baby. Then, as they get older, you can incorporate reading a story as they fall asleep.
7. Drinking water, not sugars
Water is healthy, so try to keep that message in your child’s brain as they develop. As they get older, this mindset can help them to not overindulge in sodas and sugar-filled beverages. They only have to understand that sugars from sodas have no healthy nutrients and can lead to health problems as they age.
