Tuesday 17 November 2015

tips for children developing healthy habits

You can help your child develop healthy habits early in life that bring benefits for life. As a parent you can encourage your children to assess their food choices and physical activity habits. Here are some tips and guidelines to get you started.

1.Be a good role model - do not have to be perfect all the time but if kids see that try to eat right and exercise, which will take note of their efforts. You are about to send a message that good health is important to your family.

2.Keep positive things - Kid do not like to hear what you can not do, tell them what they can do instead. Make it fun and positive. Everyone likes to be praised for a job well done. Celebrate successes and help children and teens develop a good self-image.

3.Get whole family move - Plan time for everyone to get moving together. Go hiking, biking, swimming, garden or just play hide and seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise and the time together.

4.Be realistic - Set realistic goals and boundaries are key to the adoption of any new behavior. Small steps and gradual changes can make a big difference in your health over time, so start small and build up.

5.Limit TV, video games and computer - These habits lead to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive snacking, which increase risks for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Limit screen time to 2 hours per day.

6.Encourage physical activities that are really going to enjoy - Each child is unique. Let your child experiment with different activities until you find something you really enjoy doing. They stay with it longer if they love it. check out these activities for children.

7.Pick rewards really rewarding - Do not reward children with television, video games, sweets or snacks for a job well done. Find other ways to celebrate good behavior.

8. Make dinnertime family time - When everyone sits down to eat, there's less chance of children eating the wrong foods or snacking too. Get your kids involved in cooking and planning meals. Everyone good eating habits together and the quality time with the family will be an added advantage develops.

9.Make a game of reading food labels - The whole family can learn what is good for their health and be more conscious of what they eat. It's a habit that helps change behavior for a lifetime. More information about reading nutrition labels.

10.Stay involved - Be an advocate for healthier children. Insist on good food choices at school. Ensure that healthcare providers are monitoring their children's cardiovascular indicators like BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol. Contact public officials on matters of the heart. Make your voice heard.

0 comments:

Post a Comment