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Parents Corner – April 2014

by | Apr 1, 2014 | Parent Corner | 0 comments

Since we have been focusing on nutrition and health lately with our children, we are also sharing some tips about mealtime, exercise and screen time for toddlers and preschoolers to assist at home.

 

Seven tips for happy mealtimes

  1. Be relaxed about meals, even if your child isn’t eating.
  2. Mix it up a bit. Sitting at the same table for every meal can be hard going. Try a picnic in the backyard or take dinner down to the beach or park occasionally.
  3. Try not to give in to whingeing for alternatives to the meal you have prepared.
  4. Offer nothing until the next scheduled mealtime or regular snack time (your child will get the hang of it).
  5. Schedule snacking to leave a good space before mealtimes (at least ½-1 hour).
  6. At dinner, try offering the protein and the colourful vegies first, when your child is most hungry.
  7. Be calm, firm and consistent.

 

Exercise for children

Walking, running, jumping, throwing, climbing and playing gives your child:

  • strong bones and muscles
  • a healthy heart, lungs and arteries
  • improved coordination, balance, posture and flexibility.

It also increases overall metabolism all day long. This reduces the risk of getting overweight or obese, and of developing heart disease, cancer and diabetes down the track. Playgrounds are a great place to burn off some steam and play with others.

 

Screen time

 Screen time is the time children spend in front of screens, including the TV, DVDs, the computer and even mobile phones. When children watch TV, DVDs or play computer games, they’re usually sitting still and missing out on healthy physical activity.

Eating junk food while sitting in front of a screen is a recipe for child obesity. Being overweight is unhealthy and uncomfortable – and very unpleasant for a young child.

Many child development experts recommend the following:

  • children under two: no screen time at all
  • children aged 2-5: no more than one hour of screen time a day
  • children over five: no more than two hours each day.

Follow any screen time with an outdoor activity (like a walk to the park). If your child is snacking in front of the screen, keep snacks healthy. A banana, a handful of healthy crackers, thinly sliced carrot or celery sticks are all good options.

 

Source: www.raisingchildren.net.au