It’s Never Too Early to Start Kids’ Healthy Habits

By Kelly Turner on July 10th, 2009

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The earlier a habit is taught in life, the more likely it is to stick for a lifetime.  Its easy for us as adults to find time to brush our teeth and shower everyday, not only because its necessary for good health, but because we’ve been doing it our whole lives- its part of our routine. 

The earlier you start helping your children develop healthy habits, the easier it will be for them to continue them into adulthood.  Probably the two biggest attributes to having as healthy life is eating a proper diet and getting plenty of exercise.  Unfortunately, as we all know, Americans are not even close to applying these in our daily life- obesity and heart disease are on the rise, and showing up earlier in life in children and even toddlers.  The earlier you teach your children proper diet and exercise habits, the better of a chance you give them at eliminating health related problems later in life.

Proper diet is paramount for children to not only grow strong and healthy, like we tell them when they won’t eat their veggies, but for them to be able to focus and learn in school, fend of disease and allow them to maintain a healthy weight to avoid obesityand obesity related problems.  Don’t confuse them by discussing calories/fat/diets with your child, but stress the importance of getting all their food groups each day: fruits, veggies, lean protein, dairy, whole grains and, yes, the occasional sweet.

When it comes to fitness, most parents make the mistake of assuming they are getting it somewhere else: recess, P.E., playing outside, but you’d be surprised how sedentary most children are. Computers and video games are often the scapegoat, but the truth is only you as a parent can teach your child the importance of intentional exercise.  We adults know how hard it is to block out time to fit in a workout, but just like brushing our teeth, if it is taught from the time they are young, children will be able to find the time. This is especially true as they grow up when time conflicts are more prevalent.  Extracurricular sports, or designated active play time helps develop the intentional exercise habit for when they trade in recess and P.E. for chemistry exams, first jobs and eventually a family of their own.

Helping your child gain an appreciation for their body and their health is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give.  Parents want to make the world a safer place for their child, and eliminating weight and health battles later on in life by teaching them healthy habits early is the easiest way.  Make it a habit for you to try and pass on healthy habits to your child every chance you can get.