Category: teach healthy habits

How Your Family Can Give Back This Summer

Posted on | by KD Novelties

Children learn a lot by example, and certain habits tend to make the best impression when they are part of a routine. For instance, children are more likely to develop an interest in reading if they see their parents reading by example. When it comes to routine, children may grow accustomed to reading at a certain time of day which helps instill the act of reading as an important part of their lives. This can apply to other things too: children are more likely to eat healthy if they see their parents eating that way. The same goes for other habits and interests that parents feel may be beneficial for their children. As the summer holidays near, parents may be wondering how they can encourage their kids to do something meaningful, and by making it part of your routine, you can help your children grow into well developed individuals.

Aside from planned vacations, there are plenty of things that families can do together during the summer holidays, yet not many people may realize just how fun, fulfilling and inspiring it can be to spend some time with your family while you also help your community.

Being charitable is a virtue, and as a parent it is a great ideal to instill in your children. Like reading, leading by example and making it a part of your everyday can make giving back a huge part of your child’s life. Here are some ways you can give back with your children this summer and make some memories too:

● Does your family have a favorite park or hangout spot? The next time you plan an outing, see if there’s anything that you can do for this community space. Do they need any assistance cleaning up or setting up activities? Cleaning is a great skill, especially for children who are just learning how to pick up after themselves as independent individuals while also learning to complete other tasks on their own. Cleaning up and helping others is a great way to teach accountability and compassion.

● Is there a local pet shelter near your home? If your kids love animals, volunteering at shelters is a great way to provide your children with opportunities to play with them as well as help them out, and it can be especially beneficial for kids who may not have pets at home. Unadopted pets need love and your family, as well as your children, can help shelters out by playing with the animals, taking them for walks, or completing other tasks in order to help improve the lives of these animals. You might find that doing so just might help to improve your own life as well!

● Do you have a yard or is there a garden close to your home? Planting trees with your children can help impart the idea that taking care of the earth is important, and that even planting one tree can make a difference and help the planet.

● Parents can also encourage kids to donate. As the new school year approaches, your children may want new school supplies. Encourage them to gather the things that they may no longer want, such as last year’s backpack or the pair of sneakers they outgrew, and go along with them as they donate these items to other children in need.

There are plenty of other things that you can do to give back with your kids, but remember, by making it a part of your everyday and by leading by example, parents can help make a huge difference in their child’s lives and it can even encourage them to make a positive difference in other people’s lives as well.

Good Health Starts at Home: Teaching Your Kids the Importance of Dental Health

Posted on | by KD Novelties
Teach Healthy Habits

Most kids learn by example. Even when they are not quite able to communicate or express themselves, they take a lot in by sight. That is how children learn to recognize patterns, learn to read and do a plethora of other things. Children will often mimic their parents as a means of learning – after all, you are their biggest influence, especially during their earlier and more formative years. There are plenty of important things that parents should want to impart unto their children, and one of them should be maintaining good oral hygiene. As a parent, you can do a lot to help form your child’s ideas of health and wellness while also instilling them with healthy habits and other resourceful tools that they can continue to use as they get older.

The first thing you can do is to lead by example. When your child is extremely young, they will not be able to hold a toothbrush on their own, let alone operate it with any finesse. As they get older, however, it is important that you let your children try to brush their own teeth. At first, have them brush along with you. Not only will they be more willing to participate in the activity, but they will watch how you brush your own teeth and will try to emulate your habits.  This can help teach kids how to brush as well as how important it is to brush in the first place.  In general, it is recommended that children and adults brush twice a day. Brush alongside them while getting ready in the morning and before bed at night in order to instill these habits as a natural part of a daily routine.

Family brushing teeth

When it comes to kid’s dental care, it is also wise to help them out along the way. Make sure that you buy toothpastes that are sensitive to children’s mouths but still have healthy ingredients like fluoride that can help with mineralization, a process that helps strengthen teeth. Children’s teeth, or baby teeth specifically, tend to be small, sensitive and prone to decay and rot so it is imperative that your child brush and rinse with fluoride products that can help eliminate plaque and other harmful forms of bacteria.

Eating healthy plays a huge role in dental health, as well, but this is something that you as a parent should have more control over – at least at first, anyway. The sorts of foods and drinks you prepare for and give to your child will affect their present health as well as their future health, and it can have a huge impact on the diet choices and habits that your children will have as they get older. Eating healthy, non-processed foods is a great way to help keep teeth healthy. And as you know, things that are high in sugar should be avoided or at least kept to a minimum. Kids have a known weakness for sweets, so it is important to keep a watchful eye on just how much your child eats and how often.

There are so many other things that you can do and incorporate into your daily life, but one of the most important things you should be doing is scheduling routine appointments with your dentist. Adults and children alike should be visiting the dentist about twice a year for routine cleanings and general exams. Not only will a dentist be able to monitor your child’s dental health and perform any general dental services that they may need, but they can also impart some professional advice to you as a parent regarding any personal or individual needs your child may have in regards to their dental health.

For more parenting tips and reading resources be sure to visit us at www.KDNovelties.com and subscribe to the KD Novelties Blog.