Habits children develop at an early age can shape their view of health and diet as adults. Below are three tips for keeping kids healthy and active.Set A Positive Example
Most parents understand the logic behind setting a good example, because kids are prone to follow your behavior. Equally important, but often overlooked, is setting a positive example. Your kids may see you eating a healthy meal, and you may even reinforce the habit by telling them, but are you sending negative signals?
Parents don't always give their kids enough credit for thinking on their own. It's part of the transition from dependency to independent thinking. When children reach four to six years old, they quickly link behavior and mood. Your expression, or a negative joke can be enough for a child to develop a negative association with health.
Don't Make Exercise A Punishment
Exercise is very important for kids to stay healthy, but pushing too hard for your kids to get active can back fire. If you make the mistake of forcing your children to exercise too many times, it can develop into an on going argument. They will subsequently avoid future activities, not because they don't want to, but because they associate the exercise with being ordered.
You can avoid being too forceful by thinking of their actions as "playing" instead of exercising. It's more important for your child to have fun, and enjoy the activity because they'll be more likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
Help Them Understand Cause And Effect
Young children have simplistic reasoning with most subjects. They want to eat unhealthy food because it tastes good to them. At some point you need to help them link the cause and effect of unhealthy eating habits. It's important not to reprimand them while explaining how the body handles excess calories, or they may find joy in defying your wishes. Approach the subject objectively, and help them understand the facts of eating healthy without using emotional, or threatening language.
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