Terri Ramsey Beavers Your kids pick up a lot from watching you all day long. They notice what you do (and what you don’t do), and they can pick up all kinds of habits from just being around you. Even if you just bite your nails from time to time, there’s a very good chance your child will start to bite their nails too!
Which is why it’s so important to set an example for your kids in terms of healthy habits. The more healthy things they see you do, the more healthy ideas they’ll pick up. And to help you encourage the kind of behaviors that’ll help your kids grow big and strong, here are some ideas you might find useful.
Do Physical Activities Together
The main thing to focus on here is having fun with your kids; they need to know that keeping to healthy habits will ensure they have a good time! So make sure you’re singing and dancing as you complete chores, handing out snacks and picking up interesting leaves and rocks when you go for a walk, and that you’re laughing and having fun while out in the garden playing soccer together. Simply put, show them that physical activity will make them feel good inside and out!
Make Healthcare a Regular Part of Their Schedule
The more you make healthcare visits a regular part of your life as a family, the more likely you are to pick up on potential issues. A toddler, for example, is unlikely to tell you if something is wrong, and getting to the root of their crying or why they’re acting out is incredibly hard to do on your own.
So make sure you keep regular dentists appointments, as well as checkups at the doctor and visits to the nurse. Your child will become much more accustomed to visiting a medical office, and won’t be as nervous or uncomfortable with the prospect either. And not only that, but if your child knows the importance of a health visit when they’re young, they’ll keep to them much more often when they’re older too!
Talk About a Healthy Lifestyle
Talking about why a healthy lifestyle matters will also help your kids take your example on board. For example, if they know why they need to eat their carrots or why they can’t have a second helping of dessert, they’re far less likely to complain about the food you set in front of them.
Of course, some kids are fussier than others, but the more you talk about why healthy habits are good for you, your children will grow up with those reasons in their heads. Make sure these chats are casual and fun to have, to make sure your kids remain interested, and even find some craft activities to complete together that revolve around healthy habits.
All in all, if you want your kids to follow a healthy lifestyle, make sure you teach them the value of it when they’re young.