As parents, it’s essential that you are providing a healthy lifestyle for your children at home. In today’s world, children can be distracted by a number of things, including Television, video games, phones, tablets and more. Although these tools can be used for educational purposes, too much time spent using technology can become unhealthy for children. Here are some ways parents can promote and help at risk children live a healthy lifestyle.
Get active
One part of living a healthy lifestyle is taking time out of your day to exercise. Regular physical activity is important for the healthy growth, development and well being of children and young people. Every child should be getting at least an hour of physical activity in each and every day. Whether it is riding a bike, playing sports or running through obstacle courses, staying active and getting your children off the couch is one of the best ways to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy diet
Another part of living a healthy lifestyle is eating a healthy diet. In today’s world, it’s tempting to eat foods that are convenient, such as fast food. However, it’s essential that everyone, especially youth, are consuming healthy nutrients each and every day. As a parent, you should incorporate all types of nutrients, vegetables, fruits, healthy grains, and protein in your children’s diet by purchasing healthy snacks and leading by example. A healthy diet will help at risk children live a healthy life.
Also, when it comes to beverages, water is ultimately the most healthy drink that will keep your children hydrated the best. It’s also the best drink to quench your thirst! Try staying away from drinks like juices, sports drinks and sodas, as they contain high levels of added sugar! Milk should also be incorporated every day as well, it is a great source of calcium and promotes bone health.
Get quality sleep
Lastly, to top off the healthy lifestyle you and your children should be getting quality sleep at night, on a consistent schedule. Obviously, it’s tough to go to bed and wake up at the exact same time each night and morning, however, developing a sleep routine is beneficial for both children and parents.
Healthy sleep is vital for your physical health, essential for your mental health and improves memory and focus. Children should strive to get anywhere from eight to 12 hours of sleep per night, while adults should be getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
All parents should be trying their best to provide their children with a healthy lifestyle. From staying active, to eating healthy and getting quality sleep each night, children are able to grow, develop and learn to the best of their abilities!
At DREAM, we understand how important child development is. That is why we offer a variety of programs designed to help at risk children. For more information about our programs, visit our website or give us a call today!
