Healthy habits are learned early, which is why it is important that you begin to instill certain behaviors in your child from the very start.
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When it comes to health, there are several things that children need to learn in order to live long, happy lives.
Take a look at the six tips below to get a jump-start on what to teach your children, as well as some helpful hints about how to do so.
Hand washing
This is perhaps the most basic, but also the most important lesson you can teach your children when it comes to health. Dirty hands are the number one way that germs spread, particularly among children.
When washing their hands, it is important that your children know to use both warm water and soap or hand wash liquid. They should scrub for at least five seconds before washing and drying thoroughly. This should be done before eating, after using the restroom and after playing outside.
Healthy eating
A diet that includes appropriate portions from all of the major food groups is important for growing bodies and minds. Try letting your children match the food that they are eating with the food pyramid and discuss the benefits of each group.
As your children get older, you can also ask them to plan healthy meal menus for the family. This kind of interaction will teach your children to make healthy choices when it comes time for them to make their own food.
Exercise
Rather than teaching exercise as a chore, get your children involved in fun activities that make it fun. Even if your children are not interested in sports, encourage them to play outside or take them on a walk. The more you model active behavior, the more your children will develop this very healthy habit.
Oral hygiene
Oral hygiene is a vitally important skill for children to learn early on. By setting a teeth brushing routine, you can easily get your children in the habit of taking care of their teeth.
Emphasize the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day for at least 3 minutes. In addition to this, begin teaching your children to floss their teeth in order to get all of the extra food and bacteria out, say the experts at Coquitlam Centre Dental Clinic.
The importance of sleep
Did you know that children actually require more sleep than adults? About 10 hours is needed for children under the age of 12 to get an adequate amount. The best way to teach this healthy habit is by setting up a bedtime routine, which includes taking a bath, reading a book and brushing teeth.
Children should also go to bed at the same time every night.
Brain exercising
It is often easy to forget that exercising our brains is just as important as exercising our bodies. This is particularly true when it comes to children, whose minds are growing rapidly every day. You can teach this habit by reading to your children and engaging them in age-appropriate educational activities.
If you aren’t sure where to start, head to your local library to get a few ideas.
Healthy habits are important to be taught early on so that children will continue to use them throughout their lives. Using these simple tips and examples, you will ensure that your children are on the right track to leading a life that is happy and healthy.
Anita Ginsburg
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