Positive Upbringing: Healthy Habits for Children
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- May 28, 2024
Raising children is never easy. A parent’s work never ends from infancy to their teenage years and until they transition to adulthood.
Children get to make their choices when they are adults, but from their infant to teenage years, it’s up to you to instil good morals in them, help them know right from wrong, and help them develop steadily in every area of their lives. Two of these aspects include their physical and mental capabilities; one thing that helps determine these capabilities is their daily habits.
Inculcating positive habits into your children helps promote and improve their general well-being. To help you know what you can encourage in them, here are a few beneficial habits to get you started.
Limit Screen Time
Many children are glued to their screens these days, and this habit is unhealthy. It’s up to you to set limits on screen time and encourage alternative activities that promote creativity, social interaction, and physical movement. Excessive screen time has been linked to various health issues, including obesity, poor sleep quality, and behavioural problems.
Balanced Nutrition
You might know it, but good nutrition is also a habit. Children need all the nutrition they can get to achieve their peak physicality. Instill good feeding habits in children and let them consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit sugary snacks and processed foods, opting for nutrient-dense options that support brain function and physical growth.
Regular Exercise
Promote physical activity in children by integrating daily exercise into children’s routines. Whether playing outdoors, participating in sports, or engaging in activities like dance or martial arts, regular exercise helps improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and bones, and boost mood and cognitive function. Exercising outdoors also helps improve their social skills as they interact with their peers.
Relaxation
In addition to outdoor physical activities for their physical activities, also encourage other forms of indoor relaxation for children. Activities such as reading educational books and board games like Scrabble and playing Chess help children’s mental development. Their mental development is essential to control their emotions, excel in academics, and understand the difference between good and bad.
Sufficient Sleep
Just as nutrition is needed for growth, so is adequate sleep and rest, which boost memory and growth. Children tend to be very full of energy and use a lot of this energy in their daily activities. So, to replenish this energy and also repair body cells, create a healthy sleep schedule of at least 10 hours for children and make sure to stick to it.
By instilling these healthy habits in children, they can thrive, not just physically and mentally but also in other aspects of their lives. Another way you can make them adapt these habits is by leading by example. Children quickly learn from observing, and parents are the first people children look up to.
Johnson Chukwueke
Johnson Chukwueke is a content and creative writer with over 3 years of experience as a professional. A microbiology graduate from the Imo State University, Johnson is a music enthusiast who also enjoys movies, reading, and swimming. He is a writer at THEWILL DOWNTOWN.