As a parent, there is so much we need to teach our kids and healthy eating and exercise are one of them. According to a report by the CDC, half of the children in the US don’t eat a single piece of fruit or veg and there are concerns that rates of Type 2 diabetes in children under 20 could increase massively.
Parents need to help their children’s development by taking simple steps each day to improve their lifestyle and encourage a healthy future for them. Whether that is going for a daily walk or adding some greens to their diet! Here are five healthy habits you can teach your children to help them live healthier:
Keep positive
Getting your little ones to live healthier lifestyles isn’t going to be easy and you’ll likely receive pushback at some points, especially where eating their vegetables are involved! A positive attitude from you can encourage a good attitude from them and keep their well-being high.
As the parent, you’ll be deeply involved in their learning process, and helping children develop a positive attitude is shown to directly contribute to developing resilience in later life. Remember to always celebrate their successes throughout this process and focus on what they can do, rather than telling them what they can’t.
Hands-on activity
Limiting the time your kids spend in front of a TV screen and substituting it for some hands-on activity is a great way to keep them healthy. It’s important to keep those young minds curious and ticking over so providing them with mental stimulation in the form of creative play and problem-solving activities will keep them engaged.
It’s also good to foster an interest in electronics and digital technology as this will shape much of their future. Instead of using phones and tablets, you can use devices like microbits to inspire your kids to get involved with coding and other technology.
Make meals colorful
Filling your children’s meals with colorful veg and healthy food makes it more inviting and increases the likelihood of regularly including all those good food groups into their diet. Blue and purple foods in particular are great for a child’s health and superfoods like kale or flax seeds have numerous health benefits.
Physical activity
Children are reported to spend a whooping seven hours on electronic devices per day and it’s a good idea to substitute a large portion of this time with physical activity. Activities that are exciting include swimming and hiking, and these are all things you can enjoy together as a family. Every child is unique but you’re guaranteed to find something that is to their liking.
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