Cultivating good, healthy habits in kids is an integral part of their lives. The formative years, i.e, one to eight years old, is the best time to cultivate long-lasting habits, owing to the rapid rate of cognitive, emotional and social growth. If you’re wondering how you can implement such habits in your young ones’ routines, then read on.
1. Setting schedules and routines
Creating routines will teach kids about the importance of time management. Kids love spending their time either playing outside, watching television or playing video games. In such cases, it is important to set timings for their usage of such devices. Make sure to set aside a portion of their day to spend on homework or school assignments. And most importantly, set a constant bed-time so they get enough sleep.
2. Developing healthy eating habits
During every meal, make sure your kid understands the importance of a properly balanced meal. Encourage them to finish everything on their plates, including the greens--not only to show them the importance of nutrition but also to inculcate the habit of not wasting food. Appreciate them when they’ve finished eating everything and tell them how proud you are. It also helps to involve them in the cooking process so that they understand the efforts that go behind every meal.
3. Encouraging physical activities
With the increase in technological advancements and the availability of handheld devices, kids tend to stay glued to their couches, either watching television or playing video games. In such cases, it is important to take them out and encourage them to engage in physical activities. This can be in the form of garden games, visits to the park, cycling or even swimming. Signing them up for group sports such as football or cricket will also help.
4. Teaching them personal hygiene
Teaching toddlers the importance of basic hygiene such as washing hands, brushing their teeth, keeping fingernails trimmed, etc is a fundamental requirement in order to maintain personal hygiene. These habits stick through their formative years and last until their adulthood.
5. Using science and logic
When explaining to them the importance of performing a certain task, such as getting exercise, or eating fruits and vegetables, it always helps to explain the science behind it. This way they understand the importance themselves, and will willingly comply, without making a fuss.
6. Inculcate moral values
Engaging in daily conversations with your kids paves the way to instill in them certain important moral and social values. Teach them the importance of having a positive attitude. Encourage them to speak out about any troubles they're facing. It is always advised to indulge in mindful moments with the whole family, as this helps in the overall holistic development of the young ones.
7. Emotional Training
Parents must teach and show their kids how to manage their own emotions such as anger, sadness, and anxiety. This will help in their adulthood as kids who aren't able to manage or express emotions will turn out to be more emotionally frail when they grow up. This, in turn, might lead to an onset of depression, suppressed rage, etc.
8. Appreciate and encourage
If your kid has been maintaining a consistent streak of good behavior and has been following healthy habits, you can reward them in a healthy and fun manner. This can include the following examples of buying them a new skipping rope, treating them to a nature hike, etc. Appreciating and encouraging them with kind words will work wonders.
The formation of healthy habits is important in the holistic development of a child. These habits stick through the years and so it is essential to give your kids ample time to understand the reasoning and logic behind them. This encourages them to have a good time while practicing such healthy habits.
Join Sazia Queyam's Integrative Online Health Program
Contact:
✆ +91 9549444063
✉ coachsazia@gmail.com