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Teaching a child healthy habits is one of the most important things you can do. It's not just about making them eat their vegetables and brush their teeth every day, though. It's also about teaching them that good health is connected to everything they do — how they think, feel and act.
As a parent or caregiver, it's important for you to set an example for your preschooler when it comes to establishing these healthy habits for life. Healthy habits are the foundation of good health, and they can help your child avoid many preventable illnesses later in life. By teaching your preschooler healthy habits now, you're helping him or her to set the stage for a lifetime of wellness.
So, how do we teach our preschoolers healthy habits?
Start the Discussion
Start the discussion when they are young. You don't have to wait until your child is in high school or even middle school to start talking about good habits and bad habits. In fact, if you wait too long, it may be more difficult for them to change their ways because they have already been practicing those habits for so long.
Just don't lecture them — ask them questions and get their opinions as well. This will help them to feel like they are an integral part of the process instead of being talked at.
Serve as a Role Model
As a parent, you are your child's role model. You can help your preschooler develop healthy habits by setting a good example and serving as an example for them. You should be aware of the foods that you eat in front of your preschooler. If he sees you eating unhealthy foods or drinking soda every day, he may think this is okay for everyone and begin to do the same thing himself.
Talk About Vices
Vices such as tobacco and vaping are all dangerous products that can have serious health effects. You should talk to your preschooler about these substances and explain why they are dangerous. This will help him understand what he might be exposed to when he is older and who his friends are hanging out with.
Set Limits on Screen Time
Some parents say that it’s okay for preschoolers to spend time on screens, but this can actually be harmful. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends that children for children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days. This is because screen time has been linked to obesity, attention problems, and sleep issues in young children. While you can use screens as a great learning tool for your preschooler, make sure that he doesn’t spend too much time watching videos or playing games on his tablet. This is because screen time has been linked to obesity, attention problems, and sleep issues in young children.