Back to Basics: Physical Wellbeing
Physical well-being is essential for the healthy growth and development of your child. Physical wellbeing encompasses all aspects of good health, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep and regular check-ups.
Seeing that your child has nutritious food, enough exercise, and regular medical care gives them a good start in life and lowers the chances that they will develop health problems later on.
Nutrition. Nutrition is important at every age. Your children need proper nutrients to grow up healthy and strong. Nutrition for children can also help establish a foundation for healthy eating habits and nutritional knowledge that your child can apply throughout life. Teach the importance of good nutrition, and help your children establish healthy eating habits. The more your child understands about nutrition, the more excited he will be about eating healthy.
Physical Activity. Kids are sitting around a lot more than they used to. Yet physical activity plays an important role in developing the brain and supporting essential mental functions. You can help promote physical activity by embracing a healthier lifestyle yourself, so you'll be a positive role model for your family. Make being active a part of daily life by doing things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator. You can also try being active together as a family and keeping it fun, so your kids will come back for more.
Sleep. Sleep is a key part of health. Studies have shown that kids who get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health. Not getting enough sleep can lead to high blood pressure, obesity and even depression. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids get 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. In order to achieve this, establishing a consistent bedtime routine is key. The routine should ideally start at the same time every night. As soon as the sun goes down, start to “wind down” the household by dimming the lights, limiting caffeine, and discontinuing the use of electronics and screens at least an hour before bed.
Regular Check Ups. Regular physical exams are an important part of keeping kids healthy and up to date on immunizations against many serious childhood diseases. Checkups also are a chance for you and the doctor to talk about developmental and safety issues, and for you to get answers to any questions about your child's overall health. As kids grow, they can also ask their own questions about their health and changing body.