7 Healthy Habits for Little Ones

As parents, we must focus on the physical and mental development of our children, ensuring a solid foundation. But beyond what we want them to learn, we should also consider our own example!

So, what healthy habits can we instill in the little ones?

Oral hygiene. Young children need to learn how to brush their teeth on their own, make a routine out of it and then understand the importance of oral health! Of course, at first they won't be able to brush their teeth efficiently, there will be many favored or ignored areas, but it's more important for them to get used to the idea that they will do this every morning and evening, always. Moreover, if the little one constantly avoids a particular area, this may be an indication of a disease, so parents need to pay attention. It would be ideal for oral hygiene activity to take place in the family: all of us in front of the mirror, with good disposition and patience!

The Daily Bath. The importance of a clean body is not just about aesthetics, but also about health. Especially in the case of children, who quickly befriend anything they encounter outside: mud, bugs, grass, etc. It's good for little ones to enjoy free playtime, but they must wipe away the signs of fun, especially after a generous rain shower. If you have a child who played with mud, you know exactly what we're talking about.

Handwashing. This habit is absolutely vital for the health of little ones. They touch all objects around them without discrimination and if they form the habit of washing their hands from a young age, they will be able to avoid a multitude of infectious diseases. At first, parents can do this: wash them after they come home, before eating and after going to the bathroom. If handwashing is always associated with these activities, even before having autonomy over their own actions, little ones will start doing it on their own naturally and instinctively.

The main meals of the day. It is evident that a fixed meal schedule is important: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Thus, hunger pangs during the day can be avoided. Ideally, all the little ones' meals should mainly consist of healthy foods and take place every day at approximately the same time. In addition, the benefits of each dish can be presented to them in a way that they can understand (for example, carrots help you see better).

Regular physical activity. Children are naturally very active, so physical exercises should only be encouraged and supported. If parents have discovered certain inclinations, they can organize them in such a way as to create as many opportunities as possible for the little one to enjoy movement. Whether we're talking about riding a tricycle or football, it matters less about natural talent. The idea is that any kind of exercise should be part of the daily routine: today it might be a walk, tomorrow beach volleyball with an indoor foam ball, etc.

Reading books. From a young age, they are absolutely fascinated by stories, and can't wait for before bedtime to come a parent to read them a small story! This good and useful habit is even simple to instill, as it starts from early infancy. Through the daily routine of nursery rhymes, little ones learn to love and appreciate books, and later on they will desire to explore on their own, learning one letter at a time, or inventing alongside the action sequence their own version. It's the perfect way to stimulate both their imagination as well as their thirst for knowledge!

Quality time spent with family and friends. It seems we're becoming increasingly isolated even when we're together, and real connection moments come harder. So both adults and little ones need to make a priority of spending time together without any electronic devices. Without TV, without constantly taking photos, without phone apps. Just together, enjoying a nice game, an interesting conversation or quiet and peace!

Maybe it's not always easy to do all these things, but we shouldn't give up because the effort of aligning ourselves with a new routine will be rewarded over time with a habit that we'll get used to so much that no kind of effort will be needed. It will come naturally! This is even more true for children, and when it comes to health and harmonious development, these small gestures really make a difference!