You might not have realized it, but when you sign your child up for soccer or karate classes or enroll them in school, you’re also signing them up for a lifetime of good health.
Certain types of health habits and physical activity can help children develop better social skills and manage stress — which means they’ll be happier as adults. But to prevent your child from getting sick, pediatrician Lou Hampers offers advice on how to make your child’s health a great priority.
A Child With Good Health Habits Will Grow Up As A Healthy Adult
First of all, a healthy child will grow up to be a healthy adult, and they’ll have the opportunity to grow up in an environment that supports their physical, emotional, and mental health. On the other hand, a sick child is more likely to miss out on important learning experiences due to absences from school, which can have lasting effects on academic success.
In addition to that, children who are chronically ill may experience higher rates of depression or anxiety than those without a chronic condition, as they also tend to have lower self-esteem as they get older because they feel different from their peers who don’t have these issues.
Your Child Learns How To Take Care Of Their Health By Watching You
As a parent or guardian, Lou Hampers believes that you can show your child a good example and make sure they understand how important it is for them to eat healthy food and exercise regularly, even if it’s just a few minutes each day.
Aside from that, you can also encourage your child to ask certain questions about what foods are very good for them, why some types of exercises are better than others, and other topics related to staying fit.
A Well-Rested, Well-Fed, And Well-Hydrated Child Can Avoid Illnesses
As a parent, you must make sure your child is well-rested, well-fed, and well-hydrated. This means that sleep is important for them–and for you! A good night’s rest will help keep both of you healthy so that neither one of you needs to miss out on work or school.
As far as food goes, try not to let your kids go hungry by eating at least three meals per day. If possible, allow them some amount of time between lunch and dinner so they can digest their food properly before they eat again. Otherwise, all those nutrients will just sit in their stomachs unabsorbed!
And lastly, drinking plenty of water throughout the day also helps prevent dehydration in your child, which can lead to headaches or even more serious health problems like heatstroke if left untreated long enough.
Having Regular Checkups Can Ensure That Any Health Issues Are Treated
Finally, regular checkups are a great way to ensure that any health issues in your child are caught early on before they become serious. It is highly recommended that children should have their first checkup at about six months old, and then again at one year old. After that, the general recommendation is yearly visits until age 18 or until your child reaches adulthood.