Raising Healthy Kids: 10 Habits to Instill in Early Childhood That Will Stay With Kids for Life Kids' Health
According to a study conducted by Brown University, a child’s routines and habits formed before the age of 9 are unlikely to change as they get older. Early childhood is the best time to instill healthy habits in your children so that they will grow to become healthy adults.
Here are some tips for encouraging healthy habits in your child. These tips can be easily incorporated into your family’s everyday life and will help your child learn healthy habits that will stay with them for life.
Physical Health
- Have your child visit their pediatrician every year for a checkup. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends yearly wellness examinations starting at age 5.
- Ensure your child is up to date on all their required vaccinations.
- Starting at age 3, bring your child to the dentist twice per year for checkups and cleanings.
- Reduce junk food and sweets, and encourage healthy snacking, such as apple slices with peanut butter or veggies and dip.
- Let your child finish eating when they are full.
Mental and Emotional Health
- Help your child build positive skills to cope with stress, such as teaching them positive things they can tell themselves when they get scared.
- Encourage your child to problem-solve and think rationally in an age-appropriate way.
- Acknowledge your child’s feelings, and discuss them in a calm and respectful way.
- Let your child know they can talk to you about anything.
- Encourage empathy and help your child find common ground with others.
Get more tips to help encourage healthy habits in kids via KLA Schools.
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