Children need to be involved in their health, and the Wellness for Children initiative aims to raise awareness of this. We can begin to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer by teaching our children the benefits of being healthy early. The winning strategy for this project will be an age-appropriate, region-specific, and culturally-sensitive approach.
When it comes to health and wellness, children need to know that they have a choice: they can either choose good health and fitness or lousy health and sickness. They need the education to make informed decisions. Educate them on the health benefits of what they eat. To them, it is clear that sugar weakens their immune system and contributes to the development of tooth decay. Tell them that eating healthy foods will give them more energy and make them feel better.
The sooner you start talking, the better. Conversations with your child are the best way to foster engagement, increase your child’s self-awareness, and discover what’s going on in your child’s life. Could you do it now? Ask and talk about your child’s mood, interests, behavior, and relationships with others as they grow older, from toddlerhood through adolescence and into early adulthood, if you can. Also, feel free to contribute your insights and tales of woe. The stories you tell your children about your family and your own experiences are a great way to connect with them.
Look for Changes in the Way You Act. Concerning changes in a child’s behavior may be apparent. Parents should look for changes in eating habits, sleeping patterns, moods (irritability, tantrums, sadness), decreased academic performance, and an interest in previously enjoyed activities (sports, music). One or more of these may indicate an undiagnosed mental illness, traumatic event, addiction, or a relationship issue such as bullying.
Changes in their behavior: Having started conversations early will make this easier. But if not, you can always start slowly. You don’t need to say things like, “You’ve changed.” As a substitute, ask open-ended questions like, “How is everything going?” “What’s up, doc?” The question is, “Is there anything wrong with you?” Storytelling rather than a simple “yes or no” response is encouraged by this method. Wait for the right time. Pushing too hard may backfire if your child feels overwhelmed for any reason.
Obtain Professional Advice. A school counselor, teacher, coach, or another parent who spends time with your child can be a good source of information about what’s going on in your child’s life. If you’re concerned about your child’s emotional or behavioral health, don’t hesitate to bring it up with your child’s pediatrician.
Take care of yourself. Parents need to know this. The only way to help your child is to look after yourself first. Finding ways to calm your anxieties, fears, or depression could be part of this process. Support from others, such as family members, friends, or siblings, can be beneficial. Conversations with our children can help us build our resilience, which we can pass on to our children as role models for handling difficult situations.
