Being a parent, you have put yourself in a position of great responsibility and commitment. Your children depend on you for safety, guidance, love, and learning how to live in this world. Each individual has developed a set of habits that help them maintain a successful life – their relationships and personal life, business and professional life, and most importantly, their mental and physical health.
Let them talk and talk to them
Communication is essential for functioning in society. To help your child develop properly, give them time, be consistent, and don’t speak to them as you would with babies but instead talk as with a grown-up but with a simpler vocabulary. Additionally, encourage explaining what do they want to and how do they feel while being consistent in being patient, affectionate, and positive. Do not use cooing as it will only help your child develop their speech with fewer issues, but it will also not help them in feeling like an equal family member.
Healthy food choices
Whether we have or have not taken care of our nutrition, we do notice the difference when eating junk food and a lot of sugar compared to a balanced diet filled with veggies and healthy fats. You do want your child to develop into a healthy developed and good-looking individual, but when they are children it is not always easy to help them choose a healthy option. Try introducing different colours into each meal – red, green, yellow, purple, and blue can be a part of a healthy dish, making your kids’ meals fun.
Doctor appointments aren’t scary
The doctor’s appointments are not happening only when it is a must because of an illness. While they are still developing, they should be followed by the same paediatrician or family doctor. Special attention should be put towards their teeth, as the baby’s teeth still need to be healthy and develop properly to ensure that the permanent set will also develop properly and stay healthy. Kids dentist will know how often you need to go for checkups and should follow your child into adulthood, as this way the changes will be spotted easily.
Good hygiene
While your child is still developing and adopting behaviours, they are the little explorers of the world. Good hygiene is one of the simplest ways to keep everyone in the family healthy. The simple act of washing his hands and preventing them from putting their hand in their mouths can spare your child, as well as the rest of the family, from germs that possibly lead to infections and illness. The same goes for taking baths, washing their teeth regularly, etc.
Time off-screen
Multiple issues come with the regular habit of looking at the screen. From irregular sleep, obesity, to issues with behaviour and later academic performance, others can be avoided by playing and being active without using screens. The screen time can be connected to the activity, but you should be the supervisor of that time. Try to engage them in reading books, as you would read them together, buy them and talk about them. Drawing, or playing with the toys should also be encouraged as it further stimulates the imagination.
Eco-friendly habits
It is never too early to learn about the planet and how to take care of it. Throwing the trash into the bin, not picking the flowers as they are food to the bees, or simply cleaning the yard together can do a lot for their understanding of nature. If you don’t have a backyard it would also be a great idea to plant some herbs inside and later make the food with them. Gardening can show them the importance of nurturing, patience and cooperation.
Responsibility for their space
Even though children should play and enjoy their childhood without limits, there are some habits that they should adopt that would help them understand responsibility. Picking their clothes and dressing, putting the toys away, and letting you know about their needs are only some. Washing hands after going outside, before and after meals, as well as washing their faces in the morning and flushing the toilette when they learn how to use it. These are the examples of the obligations that will tomorrow be the basics for the reliable adult.
Sleep routine
Every fun and eventful day should lead to a healthy sleeping schedule. However, your child still needs a stable routine, no matter the length and excitement of the day. Don’t let them eat just before bed, take a shower and teach them how to clean their hands, toes, faces, and private parts correctly. Washing teeth is a must, which you might want to do together for as long as you don’t see them going after toothbrushes themselves. In the end, choose the pyjama together, and don’t forget to talk a bit before a long goodnight snuggle. Every healthy habit is developed with a nurturing parent.
