Six Tips for Raising a Happy, Healthy Child
1. Take regular checkups and vaccinations
The first step in raising a healthy baby is making sure that they are physically healthy. Taking them to regular checkups will ensure that they are hitting the proper milestones and that they are growing properly. Vaccinations are also important to prevent children from getting and spreading different illnesses.
2. Get them exercising
Encourage children to be active in whatever way they like. Give them the opportunity to play outside in the park, join a dance class, or play sports with their friends. Exercising helps children's bodies grow strong and fights obesity.
3. Encourage healthy eating
Make sure your baby has a healthy, balanced diet. Providing children with nutritious food choices ensures they have the proper fuel to develop into a strong, happy child. While it is important for children to eat healthily, there is no need to put strict regulations on what they can and can not eat. Even "junk" food is okay to eat in moderation!
4. Teach healthy displays of emotion
Encourage children to express their emotions and help them find positive ways to cope with them. Let them talk about what is bothering them and allow them to share with you what they are experiencing. This encourages positive mental health throughout childhood and adolescence and helps build strong bonds between child and caregiver.
5. Positivity is powerful
Above all else, be sure to encourage your children to live a healthy lifestyle positively. Never make health a punishment for bad behavior; that deters children from wanting to adopt healthy habits. By viewing health in a positive light, it encourages children to further their emotional and physical health, which is important in the development of a healthy body and mind.
6. Be a role model
Children look up to their caregivers and will copy the thing they do. If they see their caregiver eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and showing their emotions positively, they will follow suit.