How to Encourage Your Child to Develop Healthy Self-Care Habits
As adults, we are aware of self-care. We know that a proper self-care routine is important for a healthy and happy life.
But what about our kids?
It is mandatory to get them into a self-care routine from an early age if you want your kids to grow up as happy, confident people and become shining stars in the future! You should not neglect to teach them about self-care and set up a self-care routine for them.
Vishwankar Public School is a play school in Vedapatti where your little ones can experience world-class facilities that nurture their young minds while also teaching them essential hygiene and self-care habits. Through engaging activities, interactive games, and creative storytelling methods, your children can learn these important skills in a fun and enjoyable way.
What is self-care?
Self-care simply means “caring for yourself.”
It includes activities you do to keep yourself healthy—physically, mentally, and spiritually. This list goes on and on. Self-care should top your list of priorities, especially during your tough time.
Benefits of self-care for children?
Engaging in a self-care routine is clinically proven to reduce anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, increase happiness, and more.
A few major benefits of self-care are:
1. Improved physical health
2. Enhanced mental and emotional well-being
3. Increased productivity and focus
4. Better relationships
5. Prevention of burnout
Top 6 ways parents can encourage healthy habits and self-care in children:
As a parent, your main task is to equip your child for success. Think of self-care as a life skill that prepares your children to handle challenges, manage stress, and stay balanced in any situation. Encouraging your child to build good habits early on makes it easier for them to depend on these skills when they face heavy tasks in life.
Here are some tips to create a self-care routine for children:
1. Teach them journaling:
Journaling is the best way to teach them gratitude and document their daily lives in a fun way. Try to make journaling special by purchasing an attractive notebook.
You can help kids include it into their morning or nighttime routine by adding it to a task list like brushing their teeth. Ask your kid to write or draw down three things daily night they are currently feeling grateful for.
2. Encourage them to be independent:
Children love to learn new things, and they have good grasping power.
So make them learn new things in the ways that they love to learn, and this too can be a form of self-care. This will teach them to take care of themselves over time. Allow your child to tackle small tasks like carrying their bags, brushing their teeth, and placing their plates in the kitchen sink on their own before stepping in for immediate help.
3. Be a role model to your kid:
Children are like mirrors. They have high observation skills and learn by watching us for both good and bad habits.
When your kids see you making time for yourself, eating well, doing exercise, reading books, and journaling, they are likely to follow that behavior from you. Hence, make sure you are doing the right thing always and be a good role model to your child.
4. Teach deep breathing to your kid:
Introduce your kids to a few simple techniques, like deep breathing techniques, to calm their mind and body.
It is a relaxation technique in which you can focus on taking slow, deep breaths, holding for a few seconds, and exhaling slowly. There are a few apps in the app store to guide your children to do proper breathing techniques.
5. Set up a routine for your kid:
Building healthy routines is essential for your child’s self-care.
Create a daily schedule that includes time for meals, play, learning, rest, and family time. Stick to it as much as possible to create a consistent habit for the child. Give your child time to rest between activities, especially after a long day at school or after completing homework.
6. Teach mindfulness to your child:
Mindfulness is simple. It is being aware of what is happening at present, like paying attention to what you feel, hear, and see.
It can help children manage their emotions and calm their minds. Activities like yoga, coloring, or deep breathing can help calm your child’s mind. There are several audios and videos to practice mindfulness with your kids.
Also remember to play with them during your leisure time. Playing games also helps you to limit your kid’s screen time. As a good parent, helping your child develop healthy habits for self-care is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them.
The famous playschool near Veerakeralam, Vishwankar Public School, knows the importance of self-care and works with both parents and students to incorporate these positive habits into kids’ lives.
