Passing healthy habits to your children at an early age can shape them into great individuals and adults. As simple as implementing a sleep routine that will get them into their kid bed (commonly referred to as เตียงเด็กโต in Thai) without a fight, can significantly help in their development. Pair this with healthy eating and limited screen time, and your kids will have habits that will prove beneficial for them for many years.
Eating Healthy Foods
As they say, picky eaters are not born, they’re shaped by their environment and the people around them. If you don’t introduce them to healthy foods at a young age, they won’t develop an appreciation for them.
- Allow them to try different types of healthy foods, from fresh fruits to lean protein sources.
- Be consistent in serving healthy food options. Doing so will make it easier for your children to familiarize different flavours and textures.
- If you’re dealing with a picky eater, be creative in introducing new foods to them. Try everything possible to make food appealing, roast, blend, puree, and never give up.
Dine as a Family as Much as Possible
Eating together is one way to make mealtimes fun and enjoyable. So, make a habit of having everyone share a meal at the dining table.
- Use this time to connect and to learn more about each other better. Children learn from their parents, and mealtimes are the perfect time to show your kids good dining habits.
- Make it interesting by sharing new learnings every meal. Teach them about personal safety habits, for example.
- Help children develop a good relationship with food by talking about the flavour, colour, texture, and smell. Teach them to use the right words, including the best way to convey food they dislike.
- Encourage your kids to try different foods, but respect their dislikes. Instead, offer them choices so they feel involved and do not develop an aversion to certain foods or healthy eating.
Encourage Physical Activity
Children should learn that staying active is paramount to their health.
- Schedule 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Make sure to tell your kids the many advantages of doing so, such as strong muscles and bones, to keep them motivated.
- Choose exercises or activities that are fun and easier for kids to enjoy. It could be cycling, swimming, hiking, or playing sports.
- Make it a family affair so that everyone gets to benefit from daily movement.
Introduce Healthy and Positive Routines
- Make sure they follow a consistent sleep routine without exception.
- Set a schedule for device use and prevent them from sitting too long.
- Teach them good manners and proper etiquette at an early age. Establishing respect and family culture early will help them to become kind and respectful individuals.
- Encourage them to become independent and confident to make their own choices and carry out certain tasks.
- Promote self-expression and stress management to help with their mental health.
Developing good habits starts in the family. As a parent, you play a crucial role in developing a child you can be truly proud of. Ready to teach them proper sleeping habits? Start with appealing and comfortable beds from Tomato KidZ.