Healthy habits mean a healthy child. What does healthy living mean for kids?
Health is the most important gift in human life. It should be strengthened and protected. Living a healthy lifestyle is, first and foremost, practical, and second, even fashionable. A person who stays active and follows a healthy diet makes a long-term investment in their health. They remain sharp, productive, and enjoy life to the fullest.What constitutes a healthy lifestyle for modern people? It is a set of healthy habits such as regular physical activity, exposure to fresh air, sufficient sleep, and proper nutrition.
Healthy habits should be established in children from a very early age. The sooner you help your child develop a healthy lifestyle, the better it will benefit their future.
Advice:
There is a unique Parenting Mentor Test to help parents create a healthy daily routine for their child. After taking the test, you can evaluate whether your child's lifestyle is truly healthy. You will also receive guidance on how to thoughtfully plan the day and how to foster a love of healthy living in your child.
What are healthy habits and how can you instill them in your child?
It's the responsibility of parents to guide their child, to nurture their abilities, and look after their health. Where does the journey toward good health begin? Here, we detail the 12 essential steps to building a healthy lifestyle for your child.
Second step is healthy sleep. A regular sleep schedule is crucial for children. Put your child to bed at the same time every night. To help your child fall asleep, you can give them a soothing massage, read a bedtime story, or sing a lullaby. Each parent can choose what works best. The main thing is not to disrupt your child’s schedule, as doing so can negatively affect their health.
Third step is to drink more water. Make sure your child drinks enough water every day. Often, children prefer juice or tea over water, but clean water is essential for healthy development and proper body function.
Let’s look at recommended daily water intake by age:
- From 0 to 1 year old – Experts recommend mostly breastfeeding. In hot weather, starting at 4 months, it is acceptable to give your child a little water between feedings, but only as much as they want. If your baby is bottle-fed, consult your doctor, who will advise on the best diet and the appropriate amount of liquid for hot weather.
- From 1 to 3 years – Water needs are calculated by weight. Children need about 50 ml of water per kilogram of body weight, not counting juices or other drinks. For example, a 10 kg child should drink about half a liter of clean water daily.
- From 3 to 7 years old – As children grow, their fluid needs increase. They should drink about 1.2–1.7 liters of water each day for optimal functioning.
- From 7 to 12 years old – Water intake should increase to 1.7–2.5 liters per day.
- From 12 years old and up – The recommended amount is the same as for adults: about 2–2.5 liters per day.
Fifth step. Include omega-3 in the diet. Make sure your child gets enough omega-3 fatty acids to help them learn and develop more easily. Fish and seafood are the best sources. Children should eat fish at least three times a week. Begin teaching your child to enjoy fish early and include it in your family meals.
Sixth step – Don’t skip breakfast. Breakfast is especially important. Cereals are a great way to start the day, so try including oatmeal in your family's breakfast.
Seventh step. Hygiene. Teach your child to shower before bed, brush their teeth twice daily, and wash their hands before meals. Personal hygiene is important for children. Keep clothes and bedding clean, and regularly wet-clean the child’s room. Encourage your child to help with cleaning—these habits prevent many contagious illnesses that spread through dirty hands.
Eighth step is exercise. Simple morning stretches can set a positive tone for the day and help your child feel good. In warm weather, do exercises outside. Regular exercise should be a natural part of your child's life.
Ninth step is limiting computer and gadget use, while promoting real-life interaction. Monitor how much time your child spends on tablets and computers. Encourage them to spend more time playing and talking with friends in person. Too much screen time can harm your child’s eyesight, posture, and nervous system, and cause nervousness and trouble sleeping.
Tenth step. Create family traditions. This could be sharing dinner every evening, or discussing how each family member’s day went. Start a unique tradition just for your family. For example, one family writes letters to themselves each Christmas and opens them the next year, involving all ages.
Eleventh step. Communication and safety. Teach your child when and how to say “no.” They need to understand what’s right and wrong, and refuse anything harmful. It’s also important for children to learn traffic safety rules and how to avoid danger if you’re not nearby.
To help your child be emotionally as well as physically healthy, teach them good communication manners and politeness.
For example:
- Learn to listen respectfully.
- Be polite.
- Be punctual.
- Focus on one thing at a time.
- Start conversations and make friends with peers.
- Introduce themselves confidently.
Twelfth step. Encourage learning. Reading books, watching educational programs, exploring encyclopedias, and playing educational games will all help your child develop their knowledge and skills.