We all want the best for our children. Which usually entails making sure they are safe, happy, and of course, healthy throughout their life.
But as we all know, life can be hard sometimes. And with that, it takes someone confident, resilient, and knows their mind to get through.
To ensure your baby has all the tools they need to survive and thrive throughout their life, the journey of teaching your little one what you know starts now.
For a few ideas of areas in your kid’s life, you can begin making positive changes that will impact them now and in the future for the better. Here are a few points to consider.
Nutritious Food
For a resilient immune system, good weight management, and lots of energy, nutritious food is necessary throughout your child’s life.
If your baby, toddler, child, or even your teenager refuses to eat anything green, don’t worry! Keep putting bits of veg on their plate regardless. They’ll become more familiar with it and eventually more comfortable with the idea of eating it.
It’s a process that can take a while. So, don’t be too hard on yourself if your children aren’t eating all the fruit and veg just yet.
Get Outdoors
Photo by Orione Conceição from Pexels
Being active is an essential part of maintaining your little one’s healthy heart. Whether playing with a ball together or strolling along the beach. Get active any way you and your kids can, and you’ll keep their bodies and minds healthy.
Outdoor areas with lots of greenery are some of the best places you can take your kids. Nature encourages us to unwind and have fun. Plus, it allows your youngsters to look at the insects and wildlife, to feed their curiosity and understanding about the world.
Nurture Curiosity
Children must be taught how to think, not what to think. — Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist
Speaking of curiosity, kids are naturally curious and so be sure to encourage this side of them as much as you can. This way, they can find out more about topics of interest, what is safe and dangerous in the world, and increase their knowledge of their surroundings.
Read To Them
Reading to your little ones from a young age helps them to develop essential listening and language skills. It will also increase their imagination and broaden their understanding of the world too.
Reading to children from a young age will also encourage them to take an interest in books. Moreover, it can help them to become confident readers as they grow up.
If you’re interested in determining your child’s reading level, there are plenty of resources online that can assist. And many more that can help your child’s reading level progress.
Having the confidence to read well also gives your kids a boost in school. Allowing them to read aloud in class when required without hesitation. And to read material independently when needed.
Visit the Physician and Dentist
Booking checkups at the physicians and dental practice are essential to ensure your child is growing correctly and hitting the expected milestones for their age.
It also allows the healthcare professional to reveal any causes for concern that need attention.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels
Self-Care
Self-care practices are something we all need to learn to take good care of ourselves.
Tasks to encourage and support your little ones (depending on their age) to do on their own include; brushing their teeth, washing hands and faces, getting changed into clean clothes, and brushing their hair.
Good self-care habits will ensure your child becomes progressively capable of taking care of themselves.
Lots of Sleep
A lack of sleep over time can cause mental health problems in children, such as depression.
At night a youngster’s mind and body has the chance to re-energize, grow.
Take a look to see if your children are getting the right amount of sleep. Below are the recommended hours of sleep needed for children in different age groups from the National Sleep Foundation below:
Babies: 12-15 hours
Toddlers: 11-14 hours
Children: 10-13 hours
Teenagers: 8-10 hours
Opportunities to Socialize
While they may have a lot of stimulating conversations with you, it’s essential to introduce your little ones to new people when you can too. In doing so, they can improve their soft skills, such as empathy and communication.
Suppose you don’t have any young nieces or nephews for your kids to play with. You could organize a playdate with one of the moms from school. Or otherwise, go to a baby and parent group near you, and let your toddler begin to chat and play with the other kids.
Teach To Save
Because personal finance isn’t taught at school, many kids and teenagers, even adults, are unsure about the importance of budgeting and saving.
But with a little help from you. You can make sure your kids know how to build a pot of money. Teaching your kids good financial literacy will serve them well in the future.
Lots of Love
Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded. — Jess Lair, author
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels
Lots of love and attention will ensure your babies grow up to be confident individuals with good self-esteem.
Some parents express their love through affection, surprising their little ones, dancing, singing, and playing together. Or, on occasion, throwing out the rules and letting them, once in a while, do something out of the ordinary like stay up late and watch a movie. There are lots of ways to express how much you care for your children.
Encourage Play Time
Part of making sure your children have a childhood they enjoy is by encouraging playtime.
Playtime is proven to enhance a young person’s brain development. While also giving them the ability to be creative, solve problems, and develop their imagination.
Play also increases children’s perception of the world and the people around them. So whenever you get a chance, play make-belief, dress up in fancy costumes, and pretend you’re superheroes together. Apart from being lots of fun, your kids will feel stimulated and learn in the process.
Be A Role Model
Children need models rather than critics.— Joseph Joubert, French moralist
To give your kids the best start in life, you need to be a great role model.
A role model is a figure in which people look up to, admire, and even try to follow in their footsteps. It gives kids an aim of what kind of person they want to become.
So lead by example and show your kids everything you’re capable of. Whether you’re a boss lady, growing your business empire. Or you want to eliminate tasks associated with gender by doing “manly” tasks, too, such as fixing the car. Your actions will speak volumes to your kids, so whenever you can, put your best foot forward; they’re watching you.
There are plenty of ways you can give your kids the best chance possible in life. The above are just a few that can enhance the health and development of your child.
Being a parent is challenging. Sometimes it can be hard to figure out whether you’re doing it right. But so long as children have the basics such as a healthy diet, good sleep routine, love, and affection from you, you’ve already got the essentials covered. Anything else you choose to add on is a bonus.
However, remember not to put too much pressure on yourself. You have to do what’s right for you and your children. And always know that whatever you do, your kids will love you regardless!