One of the most important parts of being a parent is teaching your kids habits that make for a healthy lifestyle. Kids are very impressionable, and it is important for parents to make the right impressions on them. You can help them learn healthy habits by using creative incentives. Parents can use the following five creative incentives to teach kids a healthy lifestyle.
1. Proper Oral Health
It is very important to teach kids the value of brushing and flossing. You can help to make brushing fun by giving kids fun toothbrushes. When they get to brush with a toothbrush that features their favorite cartoon characters, it will give them a great incentive to do it. Kids who brush regularly will avoid the appearance of cavities when they go to professionals.
2. Exercise
One of the most challenging issues in public health circles right now is the rise in childhood obesity. Much of this is due to a lack of exercise. If you want to give your kids an incentive to stay active, then you should encourage them whenever they show an interest in sports. Kids who play sports are much less likely to be obese.
3. Eating Right
Another reason that kids are suffering such high rates of obesity these days is that they consume so much sugar. Sugar is everywhere in our food supply. If you want to teach your kids healthy eating habits, then you should demonstrate them yourself. Kids mimic their parents. When they see you eating right, it will encourage them to do the same. Also, you should limit the number of sugary foods in your home as much as possible. You can make healthy eating fun by trying new healthy foods and recipes that will get them interested in healthy food.
4. Hand Washing
Kids are notorious for spreading germs, and one of the major culprits is a lack of handwashing. It is difficult to get kids to wash their hands regularly. If you want to encourage your children to wash their hands, then you should praise them and reward them every time they do it without being asked. Getting to play with a special toy is a great reward to give children who remember to wash their hands.
5. Bath Time
Bath time is often a struggle for many children. In fact, some parents will have to carry their children kicking and screaming into the tub. You can avoid this behavior by making bath time fun. Let your kids splash around and play with lots of toys when they bathe, and you will soon find that they are looking forward to bath time.
