AD| 5 Ways to Teach Kids Healthy Habits By Example
As parents, the main thing we want for our children is to grow into a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted adult. We have the opportunity to instil these values while they’re under our roof. Once they go off on our own, we can only sit back and watch. Take advantage of their younger years by teaching them healthy habits that will serve them well throughout their lives.
The best way to teach is by example. By mindfully incorporating the following tips, you’ll set a good example for your little ones and teach them how to care for themselves as they grow up.
Get started introducing healthy habits with these 5 steps:
1- Eat Colourful Meals
What kind of meals do you feed your family? This is a great first consideration to make. If you’re serving up plates of beige without many bold colours, it’s likely that the kids (and you!) aren’t getting the nutrients they really need. Instead, actively add colourful ingredients and dishes to your weekly meals.
By filling the plate with healthy, nutritious vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, you’ll give their bodies what they crave most (regardless of what they say they’re craving). When they see mummy and daddy devouring spinach and strawberries, they’ll vicariously learn that these are the foods they should be eating, too.
2- Get Regular Medical Check-Ups
Don’t skip out on your annual check-ups or wellness visits. It’s important that we pass on a health awareness to our children. Avoiding the doctors won’t do them any favours. To make it easier, find a family doctor you love and a great dentist (like Vellore Woods). That way, you won’t dread your appointments and your kids can get their check-ups with you!
3- Enjoy Physical Activities as a Family
How do you and your family enjoy time spent together? While movie nights are a lot of fun, they shouldn’t be the only thing you do as a group. The more ways you can find to spend time moving with your kids, the better.
Things like an evening walk, a Saturday game of ball in the park, or unstructured play time in the backyard are great places to start. Incorporating physical activity in fun ways will send the message that exercise can be fun!
4- Limit Screen and Couch Time
If your children witness you spending loads of time in front of your smartphone or glazed over during the latest Netflix marathon, they’ll pick up these habits, too. By limiting your time on the couch or behind a screen, you’ll show that there’s so much more to life. Children are using technology at an earlier age than ever. This small practice will help limit their time spent staring at a screen.
5- Display Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Many coping mechanisms are taught by parents and learned by children. Some can be good – like exercising when faced with anxiety and stress. Others can be harmful – like blaming others when things go wrong or looking to alcohol to subdue feelings. It’s important to stay mindful of the coping mechanisms you exhibit to your children. They pick up on things more than you know.
By showcasing healthy ways to deal with struggles of life, you’ll equip them with the right emotional tools they’ll need later on.
Bonus Tip
For one final tip, keep communication open between you and your kids. If they feel like they can talk to mummy and daddy about anything, you’ll have more opportunity to help them grow and learn. Keeping channels of communication open allows room for all sorts of topics to be discussed and understood while they’re still in your care.
