Tips for Teaching Kids Healthy Habits

Building Healthy Habits at Home

When it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, children often look to their parents and caregivers as an example. The health experts at Campbell County Health are here to share some tips to help your little ones to develop healthful behaviors to last a lifetime.

Demonstrating the Importance of Exercise

When it comes to developing healthy habits, demonstrating the importance of leading an active lifestyle is a must. Along with building up muscle strength, exercising regularly can help you to feel better and even supports better rest at night.

According to the CDC, it is recommended that you should aim to work in at least 150 minutes of medium-intensity aerobic activity each week. To lead by example, try to plan family activities that focus on staying active like the following:

• Nature walks and hiking
• Gardening
• Bike riding
• Swimming
• Playing catch
• Walking the dog

Eating a Balanced Diet

As the saying goes, you are what you eat, making it important that you teach your little ones how to build a balanced diet. Along with making healthy choices like including nutrient-dense foods in family meals—there are plenty of ways to make nutrition into a fun family activity!

To help teach your little ones the importance of proper nutrition, try out some of these tips:

• Allow your kids to pick out fruits and veggies at the grocery store
• Allow your children to help you prepare meals in the kitchen
• Teach them how to read and understand nutrition labels
• Keep fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds available as healthy snacks
• Cut back on eating fast food
• Try sparkling water over sodas and juices
• Teach your children tips to remember proper portion control

Practicing Good Hygiene

Building good personal hygiene habits is also imperative when it comes to preventing the spread of germs and staying healthy. Remember to touch on the following aspects of cleanliness:

• Bathing thoroughly
• Brushing your teeth
• Washing your hands
• Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Washing your clothes
• Washing your bed sheets

The best way to teach your little ones these personal hygiene tips is by doing these activities together.