The Importance of Healthy Habits
Did you know that Healthy Hippo was our first character to come alive in a costume? Teaching children this vital core value is important and a valuable trait to form. Habits take only a few weeks to form but when we teach our children these on a daily basis they become habits and we all know that a good habit is hard to break! Healthy Hippo would welcome to be a part of this journey with you and your children. These are some tips to begin:
Be a role model for your child
Talk about what healthy habits are, exercising your mind, exercising your body and then put them into action
Invite your child in the kitchen with you to cook and talk about the food chain
Invite your child to play outdoors and talk about fresh air, moving your body and the importance of play
Make a chart with your child and keep it posted eye level for them to reinforce these habits and talk with them about what they think is important and what they like to do. Ask them what they like to read about. Ask them what they want learn about cooking. Ask them what they like to do outdoors.
Involving our children in conversations and activities is important as they build a stronger relationship not only with you but with others they meet. Finding interests helps them want to learn and to grow and we know that the more you know, the more you know…
A “Day of Healthy Habits” for children can be a fun and encouraging way to teach healthy choices through simple daily actions. It focuses on helping children learn how to care for their bodies, minds, and emotions in positive ways.
Here’s what a Day of Healthy Habits could look like:
Morning, think healthy!
Eat a healthy breakfast
Drink water first thing in the morning
Stretch or do simple exercises
Practice good hygiene like brushing teeth and washing hands
Share a positive affirmation such as:
“I can make healthy choices today!”
Continue learning about health choices:
Read a story about healthy habits
Talk about healthy foods and exercise
Learn why sleep, water, and movement are important
Meet characters like Healthy Hippo who encourage healthy living in a fun way
Lunch Time and Healthy Eating:
Encourage colorful fruits and vegetables, you can make them fun
Teach portion balance
Discuss “everyday foods” that help our bodies grow strong
Practice gratitude before eating
Growing Healthy Habits Like Healthy Hippo
Afternoon activity, Move your body:
Obstacle courses
Dancing
Walking outside
Relay races
Yoga or stretching
Playground time
Children learn that exercise can be exciting and enjoyable not a chore, but a habit!
End of the Day Reflection, your child can write, draw and express these in a Healthy Hippo composition notebook, there is one for Back To School, Halloween, Superhero and Howdy Partner
What healthy choices did I make today? When we think about our choices and actions we learn to make better ones. The ol’ cliche’ know better, do better, be better. Did I see my family and friends using healthy habits today?
At the end of the day, reflect on the healthy choices that were made or mistaken. How did going outdoors or exercising make one feel? Did I learn a new healthy practice or would I like to learn one? Did I try a new food or an activity or start a new book? A Day of Healthy Habits teaches children that small healthy choices each day can help them feel strong, happy, confident, and ready to learn.
Forming Healthy Feelings and a Healthy Mind:
A healthy lifestyle also includes emotional wellness. Today it seems that we don’t want our children to suppress their feelings or emotions, we allow them to express them. Sometimes though, we need to teach them to control them in a healthy manner.
Practice deep breathing
Draw, color and write
Talk about feelings
Write or share something about gratitude
Read quietly to relax their mind Write or share something about gratitude
Read quietly to relax their mind
Life is all about balance!
When we take the time to learn and put healthy habits into practice they are no longer a chore, but daily habits. Healthy Hippo has a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, by laughing often, by reading and exercising. Be like Healthy Hippo!
TELL me and I forget. TEACH me and I remember. INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin and Miss Joni’s favorite quote! Your support helps us continue to make a difference in the life of a child. Thank you.