Hygiene: Good personal hygiene is essential to stop germs from harming your child. Encourage your child to wash his/her hands regularly as this is the easiest way to prevent the spread of illnesses such as colds and flu’s. Children need to wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet, playing outside or touching animals. This helps the body to defend itself against germs. To prevent the build up of germs and bacteria encourage your child to bath twice a day. Children need to have their nails kept short to prevent the build up of germs under the nails.
Dental care: It is important to brush your child’s teeth twice a day using a fluoride tooth paste. A daily flossing regime is also essential to remove plaque and food residue between the teeth. A balanced diet is important for oral health and should include vitamins, minerals, calcium, phosphorus and fluoride to help protect the teeth from tooth decay. When food particles remain in the mouth, bacteria starts to feed on it creating an acid that eats away at the tooth enamel. Encourage your child to brush his/her teeth especially after consuming sweets. Regular check-ups at the dentist is essential to maintain healthy teeth.
Diet: A diet that contains sufficient amounts of vitamin and minerals to sustain a child is important to boost the immune system and develop a healthy body. Children require more fat in their diet than adults as it provides energy for their rapid growth. The cholesterol contained in foods such as full cream milk is essential for brain development. During snack time including foods such as a peanut butter sandwich with a glass of milk or grated cheese on a muffin helps to meet your child’s daily fat intake. Restrict the intake of fat if your child is overweight. Protein should be included in every meal to provide amino acids essential for your child’s growth. It is also the building block for muscle development. Your child’s diet should comprise of a variety of different foods from the food pyramid. Kid’s need to eat frequently during the day as their meal portion size is small.
Exercise: Exercise is important in keeping the body healthy and fit to sustain a good immune system. Physical activity and a balanced diet will prevent and decrease the risk of heart diseases, cholesterol, diabetes and lower blood pressure whilst increasing a healthy immune system. Sport activities will help to boost your child’s confidence level and develop a positive attitude. An increase in energy levels allows the body to function efficiently.
Sleep: Sleep is as essential for development as a healthy diet and exercise. Insufficient sleep causes;
*Changes in behaviour
*A decrease in attention span
*Increase aggression
*A decrease in tolerance
*mood swings
*An increase in tantrums