Raising Healthy Children Tips 

As parents, we know that doing what’s best for our child includes more than giving them a house to live in and food to eat.  But still, it’s hard to know exactly what to do so a child stays smart, active and happy.  With all of life’s responsibilities sitting on our shoulders, it’s crucial that we make a conscious effort to help our children learn and grow.  Here are five parenting tips you can follow to encourage your child to reach his or her full potential:

Children's Health
Nutrition
Providing your child with a healthy diet is critical when it comes to developing a strong, able body.  Because vitamin deficiencies cause many health problems that could last a lifetime, it’s important to limit your child’s consumption of junk food.  The first 18 years of a person’s life are most crucial when it comes to developing healthy bodies—so help your child make those years count! Consider vitamin supplements to better ensure that your child stays nourished with the nutrients they need.
Activity
The importance of physical activity in a child’s life cannot be stressed enough.  This can be accomplished by going to the playground, riding a bike, dancing, or playing tag.  Activities such as these will help your child develop strong bones and muscles as well as avoid the ever-increasing problem of childhood obesity.

Creativity
While adults are bombarded with reality, children are blessed with boundless imaginations.  In a child’s mind, fairies exist, reindeer can fly and your living room floor is a pool of hot lava.  This magic only lasts for a short time, so don’t discourage them from playing pretend. Your child could even exercise creativity with supplies like empty paper towel rolls, string and glue.  Encourage them to use their imaginations and let their creative minds run!  Creativity is what makes people good innovative problem solvers.

Education
In the first few years of life, children most rapidly learn from observation. So the best way to teach the essentials of life is by example.  Since the majority of a child’s life is spent in the home, some of the most important steps in a child’s education happen there. Encourage them to ask questions.  And when these questions come, be patient and help them understand.

Safety
Childproof your house to the age of your child.  If you have a baby, frequently get on your hands and knees to check the floor and any other place they might find small, swallowable items.  And while you’re down there, cover all open electrical outlets. When it comes to preventing drowning, remember to never leave your baby near water, even if it’s only an inch deep.  One inch of water is all it takes for a baby to drown. 

Before you strap your child into a car seat, make sure you know the proper weight requirements.  And don’t install a car seat without thoroughly reading the instructions.  Even if it’s for a short time, avoid leaving your baby alone in hot places.  Your child’s body heat can increase five times more quickly than the average adult.  Extreme heat can injure your baby or even result in death.  As your child becomes more independent, make sure you teach him/her the safe way to cross the street.  And don’t forget to require helmets whenever they are on bikes and scooters.