Getting children to adopt a healthy lifestyle requires consistency in practising healthy habits. Research shows that healthy lifestyle habits are most effective when developed during the early years. Below are some points that will help you ask yourself if your child is leading a much-needed healthy lifestyle.
1. WHAT FOOD IS GOOD
Most children of this age are nit-pickers and to get your child eat healthy food, the food plate has to look appealing. You can do this by incorporating a range of fruits and vegetables which can add colours to their diet. This way the child will enjoy the food and slowly get used to eating healthy food. Make food time an opportunity to educate your child about proteins and nutrients in their language.
(Example: Spinach has iron that will help you become strong like Popeye!)
2. BRUSHING TWICE A DAY
When it comes to brushing teeth, children are often lazy. Explain why it is important to keep her teeth clean and all about dental care. To encourage the habit, you can bring funky toothbrush and pleasant toothpaste. Do a brush your teeth dance and make brushing a fun activity.
3. SLEEPING ON TIME
Establish a proper sleep schedule of going to bed and waking up on fixed timings. To ensure regular bedtime for kids, adults are also encouraged to adopt this healthy practice. You can also form the habit of reading to your child before going to bed which has innumerable benefits to itself.
4. PLAYING OUTDOORS
The more kids move, the healthier they are. Contrary to this, today children are tech savvy and are allowed to sit in front of the TV or play screen games. You should instead boost your child for physical activity, preferably playing outdoors for at least an hour a day. Bicycle riding, tramp lining, playing with a ball, running – anything that gets them moving should be fortified.
5. CLEANING UP THE MESS
In order to get kids to clean their room, you’ll have to explain to your children that they have a responsibility to care for their things. Even toddlers can be encouraged to pick up toys, and put them away. You can initiate this practice by making clean-up fun by announcing a timer game of – who picks the most number of toys on a countdown of 50.
6. PERSONAL HYGIENE
Bathing can become a toddler’s worst nightmare. And he/she is always reluctant when it comes to bath, especially if she suspects he/she needs to shower with hot water. To cut down bath time fear, make it look a fun time by adding toys in the bath tub and singing along. Try to get a pair of goggles which can cover the child’s eyes while hair washing so it doesn’t irritate his eyes.
