It is never too early to introduce your children to a healthy lifestyle. It can soon become habits that they can carry when they are older, and they will thank you for it. Allow your children to live healthily and eat foods that are good for their bodies.
Introducing your children to healthy habits does not need to be stressful. You can integrate healthy activities into their daily schedule and routines. Your kids, with their brains still flexible to adapt to changes, will easily absorb these new habits and make them their own. Soon, your kids will be making these decisions to be healthy on their own.
From eating right to regularly visiting a pediatric dentist, here are some ways to introduce your children to a healthier lifestyle:
1. Introduce fiber into their diet.
Fiber is an essential component in your diet, no matter your age. They keep things healthy and moving in your digestive system. However, most children, and even adults, do not get enough fiber into their system. Your body will have a difficult time digesting the food you eat if you have insufficient fiber. A fiber-enriched diet helps prevent constipation and helps reduce the risks of obesity and heart diseases.
If you are unsure how much fiber your child needs, add five to their age. This means that a six-year-old kid will need eleven grams of fiber each day. Good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, peas, and whole-grain cereals and bread.
2. Make exercise a fun activity.
Kids are naturally active. They love to run and jump around and be rowdy all day long. Take advantage of this seemingly unlimited energy of your children. Indulge them in outdoor activities that can get them to be active and to move and build those muscles.
The best thing is, you do not need to go to the gym to get your kids to exercise. You can do it in your yard, or you can head to the nearest park. Engage in physical activities that can help build their endurance, strength, and flexibility. You can play a game of tag, soccer, or basketball. Play jump rope with them, or you can play on monkey bars.
Before you jump into playing mode, teach your kids the importance of a good warm-up exercise to avoid injuries. Make it a family bonding activity, and you can have some healthy fun together.
3. Encourage healthy sleeping habits.
With the Internet, online games, and streaming services, most kids nowadays have unhealthy and irregular bedtimes. Teach your kids the importance of regular and sufficient sleep. Adequate sleep is vital for the development of your children. It helps with their behavior, memory, and attention. Sufficient sleep is necessary for their mental and physical health and development.
Kids below 5 years old need 10 to 13 hours of sleep. Kids 6 to13 years old need at least 9 hours of sleep. Your teens, aged 14 to 18 years old need 8 to 10 hours of sleep. For younger kids, it is helpful to establish a sleeping routine to help make it easier for them and you as well. Before bedtime, establish calming and loving activities to help your kids transition to bedtime. Prepare a warm bath, turn off the TV and all electronics, turn down the lights, and read them a story or two. Be consistent in your routine. You can also lead by example by following a normal and fixed bedtime.
4. Teach them proper oral health care.
Starting oral care early can be beneficial for your kids. Even before they grow their teeth, you should clean their gums with a clean and wet washcloth. You should supervise children below 8 years old when they brush their teeth to avoid swallowing toothpaste. It will also help if your kids limit their intake of candies, sugary foods, and juices, which can affect the enamel of their teeth.
You should visit a pediatric dentist when your child turns one. The dentist will orient you and your child with proper brushing techniques, as well as the right way to floss their teeth. Visiting their dentist early helps your kids to get used to it, eradicating their fear. Your child’s dentist can spot problems early on so that they can be fixed before they get serious.
5. Teach your kids the importance of their emotional and mental well-being.
Being healthy does not only pertain to your child’s physical body. Their mental and emotional health also plays an essential role in their overall well-being. Your kids should know that experiencing negative emotions, such as fear, anxiety, and worry, is all part of their journey. A healthy emotional state will help your child be more positive and have healthy relationships.
One of the best things that you can teach your children is how to make healthier choices. More than teaching them, you should also be an excellent example for them to emulate.
Meta title: Teach Your Children To Live Healthily
Meta description: Teaching your kids healthy habits should start at an early age. The younger your children are, the easier it will be to teach them these healthy habits.
