Many parents today struggle with sick children or behavioral issues. While more serious health complaints like diabetes in children require the attention of a doctor, you can help your kids establish a healthy lifestyle and eating habits early that may prevent intensified problems later. Try the following tips to empower your children with good habits and routines.

How to Encourage Good Health in Your Child

1. Provide Healthy Meals & Snacks

Make a good breakfast a priority; plan time in your morning routine for the kids to eat, and choose nutritional options. An apple, banana, or orange make economical, easy, and healthy snacks. Check the labels on prepared foods to look for added colorings, sugar, and artificial flavors. As much as possible, make dinner time a family meal, and encourage your kids to try new foods. Make it a game and have fun, but don’t force your kids to eat food they clearly don’t like. If you can, involve them in the cooking process, and empower them to choose items within healthy parameters when shopping. Be a role model with how you eat as well. 

2. Encourage Physical Activity They Like

Exercise is a key component of good health, and getting kids active early in life helps set up lifelong habits of physical activity. New studies show that behavioral issues such as ADHD may be helped by regular exercise. But it’s important for your child to find an activity they enjoy. Let them experiment. Most kids like being active and playing, so support them in school or club sports, classes, bike riding with friends, or soccer in the backyard with you.

3. Limit Screen Time

Devices are a regular part of everyone’s life now, even quite young children. Too much time playing video games can lead to or exacerbate behavioral issues, and lead to sedentary lifestyle habits and unhealthy snacking. Establish rules for screen time—say 2 hours a day—and stick to it. Kids who play with each other or invent games with toys will be more creative, active, and learn to entertain themselves.

Keeping kids healthy is an ongoing and often challenging task, but establishing good lifestyle habits is an excellent start. If you have a sick child, or one with behavioral issues, the caring and professional staff at Leitchfield Pediatric Clinic PSC wants to help. They have served the Leitchfield, KY, community since 1976 and provide help with chronic and acute illnesses and emergency care. Call (270) 259-5641 to make an appointment, or go to the website to view the services and staff.