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Healthy habits for kids and adults can be difficult. I always find the holidays to be the most challenging time of year to keep my diet in check and my gym schedule on track. A combination of busyness and seemingly endless spreads of incredible food have me saying things like “I’ll go to the gym tomorrow” and “salads only for the rest of the day.” My kids are not immune. Without homework or soccer practice to keep us occupied and California freezing temperatures, we’ve been struggling to get outside and stay active.
In light of the holidays and the new year, I thought I’d share 7 Healthy Habits For Kids.
7 Healthy Habits for Kids
- Get outside as a family. Exercise is a lifelong habit that can be started with kids at any age. Not only is getting outside and active excellent for maintaining physical health, it can also boost mood. Being active as a family also promotes bonding and togetherness.
- Model healthy eating habits. We all know that eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats contribute to overall wellness. But simply telling my children to eat healthy isn’t enough to compel them to do so. I like to involve my kids in meal planning and cooking. I also like to show them what a healthy meal looks like.
- Limit sugar consumption. Moderation is our approach to many things in life, including sugar consumption. I also try to teach my kids why sugar can be harmful, particularly when it comes to the health of our teeth.
- Teach children how to take care of their teeth. Oral care is a big part of healthy habits for kids. Even before my kids’ first tooth erupted, I started an oral care routine with them. Every night, we floss, brush and rinse our teeth for a healthy smile because I know how important oral care is for my kids’ health. Half of all children in the US have dental disease, and it is the number 1 reason for visits to the emergency room. We have already experienced our share of dental caries, so I’ve had to up our brushing game. We love Firefly‘s fun, innovative products that help make oral care fun. Their toothbrushes feature my kids’ favorite characters, which is always a great motivation for getting them to brush their teeth. Their popular Ready Go Toothbrush features a flashing timer that lets kids know how long to brush (Dentists recommend 2 minutes). My kids are very independent, and Firefly’s Fun Pump Rinses are designed with accurate dosage cups and no-mess dispensers so they can “do it themselves.”
- Prioritize sleep. Between sports, homework and extracurricular activities, my kids sometimes don’t get the recommended amount of sleep. But according to the National Sleep Foundation, even missing 30-60 minutes of sleep can affect a child’s behavior and ability to concentrate. Aim to help your children get to sleep at the same time each night, particularly on school nights. I like to create a bedtime routine that includes bath time, oral care, story time and snuggles.
- Limit screen time. My kids are using Chromebooks for classroom projects and tablet-based apps for homework, so limiting screen time in an age where technology infiltrates every aspect of our lives poses a challenge. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents create a family media plan that ensures children prioritize school, meals, personal care, sports and extracurricular activities and then work screen time in.
- Be present and involved. My kids don’t remember half of the things I get for them, but they remember every vacation and adventure we’ve been on. The most important gift you can give your children is quality time.
What are your best Healthy Habits For Kids? Join the conversation and share them below!
You can find Firefly toothbrushes and oral care products at Walmart, Target and Walgreens. Prices are incredibly affordable with products approximately $2-$5 each.
Win a Family Vacation
Through February 17th, 2017, you can enter the Star Wars Rebel Smiles Sweepstakes on the Firefly Facebook page for a chance to win a family trip to the Space Center Houston.
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