When you're rushing through daily life, it's hard to find time to check in on the 'big things.' How do we know if our kids have healthy behaviours? Back to school is a great time to start as you mean to go on. Here are five healthy habits to start the school year with.
- Instil a regular bedtime Growing children aged 6-13 need about 9-11 hours of sleep a night. Instil a regular bedtime routine to ensure that children get a good night’s sleep, and are fully functional the next day
- Eat breakfast Remember that breakfast is the most important meal of the day; it not only gives children the nutrients they need for the morning but also directly impacts success at school!
- Pack a balanced lunch kit When packing lunch kits, ensure that there is at least 1 serving of fruit, 2 servings of vegetables, 1 serving of a low fat protein source and 1 serving of whole grain or ground provision incorporated. Dairy is optional. An example of this is a grilled chicken sandwich with cucumber and lettuce with a banana and yogurt as snacks.
- Let children help in the kitchen Allow children to help plan and prepare their lunch kits. They will be more likely to eat it if they helped!
- Always pack water While hydration can come from water-rich foods like fruits, vegetables and beverages it is important to pack water since it has no sugar and will help to restore fluids that are lost during the day.
Small changes make a big difference
They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t lose heart if you’re not making as much progress as you think you should. Every small, positive change counts. In fact, perhaps the best advice for parents who are trying to improve their child’s habits is to start small. For toddlers and older children, you can encourage small changes over time with healthier swaps.
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