Keeping Kids Healthy

Articles

Sep 1

The first Monday in October is National Child Health Day. Parents and families work hard to keep their children healthy, and there are many ways to promote a better understanding of how to address children’s health. Throughout history, children’s healthcare did not receive as much attention, but children’s hospitals have had an immensely positive impact since the later nineteenth century. National Child Health Day has been observed since 1928 when it was enacted by Calvin Coolidge. The health of our children overall determines the health of our future leaders and communities.

Focusing on Children’s Health

Health is a term that includes all aspects of a person’s overall well-being which includes physical health, emotional health, and mental health. A child experiences many changes in all areas of health as they progress through to their adolescent stage and up into adulthood. There are many different approaches to addressing overall health, but there are generally a few things to be mindful of as you focus on the health of your child.

Regular Check-Ups

One of the best and most effective ways to maintain your child’s health is to maintain regular check-ups with your child’s healthcare professionals. Because children experience vast changes through the course of their development, it is important that doctors and healthcare teams are able to detect an issue if one arises as early as possible. Simply maintaining routine check-ups for your child helps start them on the path toward good health for their lifetime.

Sleep Routine

Routine is incredibly impactful on a child’s health and well-being. It is important that children have a regular schedule to maintain health. One way to implement a routine to promote better health is to stick to a specific bedtime and wake time. Getting enough sleep is the most important part of a sleep schedule. Make sure your child is able to get adequate sleep so their body can maintain the ability to fight off disease or infection.

Food & Exercise

For any individual, young or old, what we eat and how much we move our body determines much of our overall health. Children’s food is often packaged to be desirable for them, but sadly in many cases, is extremely unhealthy. A child’s diet should be balanced and should not include high amounts of sugar or processed ingredients. As early as possible, begin incorporating healthy varieties of fruits and vegetables into their diet to help them learn about different types of food at an early age.

Kids typically will naturally want to move their bodies. You can help support by listening to what they enjoy practicing. Trying new things is key to helping your child discover a sport or activity they may enjoy. Taking swimming lessons, dance lessons, or joining a basketball team are all ideas to engage your child in new physical activities and help promote daily exercise. Another way to ensure your child is getting adequate exercise is to move together. Nature walks or hikes are a perfect way to decompress while also gaining the benefits of physical exercise. Changing the location can also help prevent bad habits from taking over, such as watching television or playing on the computer.

Mental Health

Mental illness and disruptions in mental health can cause children to experience delays or difficulties in cognitive development and language development. ADHA (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common problem for school-age children. This disorder is caused by issues with impulse control and a need for increased physical activity. Mood disorders such as depression or anxiety can lead to other health problems like malnutrition or poor sleep. Keeping the door open for communication is key for addressing mental health problems in children. Listening and being open to listening can help them to feel comfortable speaking about how they are feeling and allow you to help them address any problems. Understanding the dynamics at their school can also help you understand where they stand emotionally. Speaking with their teachers and engaging in conversation with or about their classmates can help you understand the situation when something is out of place.

Observing National Child Health Day

Taking action to observe National Child Health Day is simple and there are so many ways to do so. If you have children, start the conversation with them about how to promote better health. Take a walk around your neighborhood or visit a local park for some playtime. Kids should understand that exercise doesn’t need to be difficult and certainly can be fun! Use the observance of this day to check in with your family’s health. There are also many events around the country both in-person or digital in which you can get involved. From children’s health initiatives to local charities, donating to a cause you feel is worthy can help further awareness about this important topic.

Learning about healthy habits can start at any age, and developing good, healthy habits can stay with an individual throughout their life. When kids understand why it is important to focus on good health, they are more likely to care about making healthy choices for themselves. Making these choices as a parent can be the example your child needs to follow your lead and help promote better health for you in the process.

If you are looking for help making healthy choices for your family, work with the Tilton’s Therapy team. Our skilled occupational, physical, and speech therapists work with patients of all ages and can help improve the quality of life for individuals who seek a more independent life.