Important health tips for Children
A healthy breakfast is very important for school going children as breakfast improves their concentration and performance in school.
The calcium requirement for children is higher than that for adults. Ensure that your child has at least 2-3 servings of milk and milk products every day. Children should never be reprimanded for their curiosity. Things should be explained to them in a simple manner instead.
A balanced diet, rich in proteins, along with sports like swimming, basketball, and volleyball, can help children grow taller. Any heavy weight activity is not being suitable for young children as it may toughen their muscles and stunt growth.
Young children have small stomachs that tend to fill up quickly. One food guide serving of a food group can be divided up into smaller amounts and served throughout the day.
Don’t restrict nutritious foods because of their fat content. Offer a variety of nutritious foods, including some choices that contain fat (like milk, peanut butter, and avocado).”
Satisfy thirst with water: Encourage your children to drink water to quench their thirst and replenish body fluids.
Offer vegetables and fruit more often than juice: Whole fruits and veggies have more vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Offer 500 ml (2 cups) of milk every day. This will help kids meet their vitamin D needs to help their bones grow strong.
Limit foods and drinks high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt (sodium), like cookies, chips, and soft drinks.
Be a good role model. Your children will be more likely to enjoy a variety of foods and try new foods if you do. Let kids choose amounts for themselves. Although you are responsible to pick which foods are served throughout the day, let your children decide how much they eat.
Offer new foods often: Kids will be kids! If they reject an unfamiliar food the first time, offer it again later. The more often children are exposed to new foods; the more likely they are to accept them.
Cleaning kids’ ears: Everyone’s ears produce wax but excess wax gets dried up and comes out on its own. Do not use ear buds to clean your child’s ears as you may damage the eardrum; instead, use a washcloth dipped in warm water to wipe the outside of the ears and also behind them.
Brushing their teeth: Kids need to start brushing even before they start sprouting teeth
Bathing your child- Some children hate having a bath. Bring their favorite toy in the bathtub, change to a mild baby shampoo, and change the brand of soap – do whatever it takes to get them to like bath time.
Washing hands: Washing hands is something your child will end up doing many times a day so it is important to educate your child on when washing hands is must.
Using a sanitizer: Sometimes when soap and water is unavailable, teach your child to whip out the handy bottle of sanitizer
Wearing clean underwear: In hot weather or when the child is physically active, underwear may be required to be changed twice a day.
When your child has a runny nose, pin a handkerchief onto his shirt or stuff some tissues into his pockets. Nasal discharge can infect other children so it’s important to educate your child to wipe his nose whenever necessary and wash his hands often.
If your child sucks his thumb or rubs his eyes habitually, gently remove his thumb or fingers from the spot and distract him with his favorite toy or book.
