Children don’t just inherit our genes, but also our habits! The habits that are inculcated in a child especially during the formative years of his life will go on to define not just his physical health but also his emotional and mental well being. Here are some that will prove to be really helpful in ensuring your child’s all-round well being when he grows!
- Ditching the burgers and the soda - You are what you eat. Fast foods and sodas now rule almost every mealtime where it used to be an occasional indulgence earlier! Inculcate healthy eating. Make it a habit to check food labels, and maintain a healthy eating pattern for the rest of the family as well. Begin with a nutritious breakfast to get the day running.
- Physical activities & Playing Outdoor - With electronic gadgets ruling our lives, the parks and playgrounds wear a deserted look like never before. Encourage your child to play outside. Seek play-buddies of the child’s age group since young and set a fixed time to outdoor play at least thrice a week. Further, once the child is five, enroll the child into a sport or a sporting programme. Alternatively, you could begin taking your child in physical activities.
- Inculcate Positivity - The mind is a powerful weapon. Small deeds and habits that impart generosity, hopefulness, inspiration, joy, kindness need to be looked at regularly for a well developed self esteem. Parents must also be aware that they are role models for their kids and to cultivate habits like meditation, expressing gratitude go a long way in nurturing positivity in their atmosphere.
- Limiting screen time - We need to relearn how to connect with our surroundings and people and one another by disconnecting from the virtual world and television. Apart from developing health problems like eye disorders, poor posture, too much screen time is known to cause behavioral issues and impact academic.
- Inculcating Hygiene - Inculcating good hygiene habits is a crucial part in maintaining health. Inculcate the habit to brush twice a day and floss their teeth once older. Washing and keeping dry private parts daily, taking bath daily and washing hands before every meal is rather important. It is also important to make them realise the importance of keeping their surroundings clean.
- Sleep - A good night’s sleep is critical in the overall development of the child. It ensures the child is rested and energised for the day ahead. A set bedtime cutoff and routine also inculcates good sleeping habit and helps prevent sleeping disorders. Limit screen time as much as possible and avoid it just before the bedtime.
- Family Time is Sacrosanct - A family ought to stay connected and what better way than to do so in a fun way! Set aside family rituals that are sacrosanct to build bonds and encourage children feel confident to share their feelings and apprehensions. Keep the communication channel open, always. Listen to your child attentively when he is young so he knows you take him seriously and will not think twice about approaching you in the future.
- Read everyday - This is one of the most rewarding habits you can inculcate in your child. Reading a book just before bedtime enhances the bond between you and you child. It also improves vocabulary, diction, and the creative side of your child. Set aside a reading hour and curl on the sofa with your child and enter a magical world together!
- Using the Golden words - Sorry, Please, Thank You - these golden words not only help set a tone of kindness, respect and compassion in your personal interactions it also grounds an individual. In order to be successful you must be able to influence people and these golden words work like a charm when used sincerely.
- Saving money - In this age of commercialisation and bombardment of marketing messages propagating it, never before has it been more imperative to help make children realise the value of every penny. Perhaps one of the biggest lessons we can impart to our children is that things are to be used and people and moments to be cherished.
Remember not to force children to develop these. For any habit to get inculcated, it is a gradual process. Of course, you are the best role model your child can have so make it an endeavour to raise yourself first. Children learn most effectively by example!
