Encouraging Your Child to Use Healthy Behaviors
By Brandi Goodman
Healthy habits and behaviors should start from a young age. This ensures a child is more likely to continue these habits into adulthood. If you allow your kid to eat junk all day and sit in front of the television without ever exercising, chances are they'll continue with these unhealthy behaviors as they age. Start encouraging them now.
Get Them Cooking in the Kitchen
Your kids should be with you in the kitchen, helping to cook nutritious meals. Allowing them to do some of the work and seeing the ingredients that go in can make them more likely to try a bite. If you just put a meal in front of your kiddos and they refuse to touch it, you may want to have them help next time so they're enticed to try what they've created. The more your kids cook now, the more likely they are to want to cook at home in the future.
Make Family Time a Fitness Opportunity
Exercise is necessary for proper well-being. If you and your kids are using family time to watch a movie, think of something else instead. Use it as a fitness opportunity so you can all get out and do something fun while exercising in the process. Having your kids exercise in a fun way now will help them continue to try out these adventurous fitness options later in life. Go bowling. Go to an arcade place and play laser tag. Get outside and walk or bike to a nearby park. Take a trail. Do whatever you enjoy together as a family.
Wash With a Song
Washing your hands thoroughly is incredibly important no matter if you're at home or in public. Any surface you touch can spread germs. Washing your hands often will ensure these bacteria are not spread so easily between you and others. Teach your kids to wash their hands while singing or humming a song that lasts at least 20 seconds. Teach them to sing Happy Birthday or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star -- whatever is most encouraging for them.
These healthy habits should be taught from a young age. As soon as your child is able to talk and assist you with stirring, get them in the kitchen and have them engaging in the best behaviors possible. It's always wise to encourage your kids to do the right -- or healthy -- things from the youngest age possible.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Costa Mesa, Calif.