Building Healthy Eating Habits for Kids

When it comes to healthy eating habits and food preferences of kids differ in some ways. Some are picky eaters while others may become adventuresome gourmands. But no matter what kind of habits they have, you can help your kids develop and shape his food preferences and attitudes toward food by guiding him toward healthy eating habits.

1. Accompany him during food shopping – show to your child how to choose healthy foods and explain to him the health benefits that you can get from the food. Instead for processed foods, go for fresh vegetables and fruits.

 

2. Let your kids help during cooking – whatever age your children are, invite them to help you during cooking, they may not be able to cook but certainly they can perform simple preparation. In this way your child will be able to know how to cook on their own as they grow up.

3. Promote smart snacking -  even if you served her favorite dishes during meal time but if he just taken his snacks too close to mealtime he will likely not eat it. That is why don’t let her take his snack at least an hour before mealtime, and if he wants make it light by serving a slice of fruits.

4. Avoid bribery – most parents certainly do this trick in order for their kids to eat by saying no to TV, computer or whatever he wants to do unless he eats his meal. But this idea can create an uneasy relationship with food in your child. Instead of pressuring him to eat which he doesn’t feel like, give him choices that are more likely to go down easy.

5. Don’t ban junk food – allowing him to eat such food doesn’t mean good for him but if you try to forbid even a piece of lollipop in your home will more likely to make him feel ignorant. A better way to handle sugary snacks is to let him take a piece of it once a while and if he wants for more, try to steer him toward healthy snacks like nuts.

6. Set a good example – examine yourself first, if you try to ban your kids from drinking soda and eating sugary foods, be a model to them by setting them good example.

Say No To Sweety Foods

Kids really love to eat sweet foods. You cannot say no when they want it, even adults likes to savor processed foods, soda, and other food beverages which found out to contain high fructose corn syrup. A new study from Medical College of Georgia at Georgia health Science University examined the 559 teens between the ages of 14 and 18 and found a link between diets that are high in fructose and increased risk for health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers emphasize the importance of a healthy diet and exercise and urge parents to keep an eye on the amount of high fructose corn syrup that is being eaten by kids at home and at school. So the next time your child ask for a soda or junk foods, always consider the effects of the foods that he intake on his body. It’s better to say no them at once than to suffer the effects later.

Why Play Is Important for Your Child?

Play is a normal part of a happy childhood development. It is one of the child’s rights. In fact, studies show that play is actually a way for your child to prepare their brains for the challenge of adulthood which is derived whether through games, music or puzzles. Play reinforces the bonding and interaction between the parent and child. Play will give your child the following benefits:

1.      it lets him to assert his independence

2.      allows him to explore his capabilities at his own pace

3.      develops their imagination

4.      encourages socialization with peers

5.      promotes good health

6.      lengthen their attention span

7.      it makes them relax and release any form of stress or anxiety

8.      strengthens the bond between parents

9.      it helps them have fun on their own

Simple Ways To Prepare Your Child For School

Though we are conquered with the latest gadgets and fast evolving technology, it is still good to know that traditional ways of imparting knowledge to your child are still effective. There are several ways that parents should know to unlock the academic potential of their child without spending too much. Below are some of the basic steps to optimize the development of your child in order him to prepare for school.

1.      Read to your child everyday and expose him to books. Reading a book together with your child not only helps practice reading comprehension, it also helps foster a bond between the parent and the child. It is recommended that you set aside at least 20 minutes a day reading to your child. There are benefits that your child can get from reading: It promotes longer attention span. Develops listening skills. Stimulate the imagination. Build vocabulary. Develops a love for books as well as love for reading.

2. Talk with your child as much as you can. Talking to your child not only develops open communication between you and your child, but it also help him express his feelings and interests and boost intelligence.

3. Increase his playtime. Play reinforces the bonding and interaction between parents and child. It develops his imagination, explore his capabilities, encourages socialization and become independent.