Teaching kids healthy habits is a game of hit and miss sometimes. However, there are some changes you can make to how you go about it that can be a massive help. From being an example for the kids to incorporating hygiene into everyday things, here are some ideas.
Reward Good Behavior
Have you ever tried taking a toddler to the dentist, or even worse, the barber? What an absolute nightmare! Everyone knows what’s about to happen, and the barber has a look of PTSD on their face. Then there’s that kid who’s always well-behaved. By some magic, the parents have figured it out! But how? A family dental visit can be more of a day out than a tantrum-fest by rewarding good behavior with something like a sticker, a new toy, or going to the local park for a little while.
Be Their Example
The absolute number one rule you need to remember is that children learn almost everything from their parents. Yeah, that time your three-year-old said a forbidden word at the Thanksgiving table, that’s on you! Of course, parents can be the example for the kids to follow, and it works pretty easily. Your kids will be getting washed, dressed, and ready for school in no time when mom and dad make it a point to do the same and let the kids see how you go about the routine.
Teaching Kids Healthy Habits Verbally
On average, it takes around 66 days to teach a toddler a new habit, despite the highly inaccurate 21-day rule. Of course, all kids are different, and the way you teach has an impact, too. But fear not, as making it verbal can drill it home much quicker and helps children articulate better as well. For instance, when thinking of fun ways to exercise with the kids, say them out loud when you are doing them. Talking about what you are doing helps them understand better.
Make Hygiene a Normal Thing
Most children don’t mind putting their digits where they don’t belong. Up their noses, in the dog’s ears, and even the dog’s poop! Yeah, they just don’t care about hygiene! And guess where their fingers go after that. Yep, in their mouths! However, there is a secret weapon you can try. You can include handwashing and face wiping in everyday tasks. For example, you can use hand gel after shopping trips, wash your hands after being outside, and clean your face before bedtime.
Give Them Various Choices
Some kids are pretty smart, and others, well, not so much. This is great, though, because you can put a cunning plan into action to get them to do what you want. And that, my friend, is the illusion of choice. Children often don’t want to do what you want, but rather what they want. So, when you ask them to do something like wash their hands, offer them various ways to do so. While they think they are choosing to do what they want, they are still doing what you want!
Summary
Rewarding good behavior, such as when visiting the barber, is a great motivator for teaching kids health habits. Being verbal about what you are doing can also reinforce their understanding. Yet, you can also use the illusion of choice to get the kids to do what you want.
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