Healthy Parenting

Healthy Parenting of Your Child

Encourage a child to eat a balanced diet, containing fruits and vegetables; be sure he or she participates in at least one hour of physical activity every day; limit screen time to two hours or less; and focus on good sleep. Another important thing is for parents themselves to be good role models by eating healthy and being active; parents also provide a nurturing environment through routines and affection.

This pamphlet contains general guidelines about healthy eating, physical activity and positive parenting for children aged 2 to 5 years. Discuss with the nutritionist or health care provider for further details.

Positive Parenting

Parenting is a lifelong journey that shapes a child's future. It involves more than just providing food and shelter. It requires emotional support, guidance, patience, and love to help children grow into responsible, happy individuals. Some points are:

Understanding Your Child: Every child is unique. They have different needs, personalities, and learning styles. Good parenting starts with listening and observing. This helps us understand and connect with our children more deeply.

Positive Discipline: Discipline is not about punishment; it’s about teaching. Positive discipline emphasizes setting clear rules and consequences. It also respects the child's feelings and encourages better behavior through communication.

Balancing Love and Limits: Children thrive in environments that provide warmth and structure. Being loving and firm helps children feel safe, respected, and understood. It also teaches them responsibility and self-control.

Encouraging Independence: Letting children try things on their own helps them build confidence and problem-solving skills. Parents should encourage independence while also being available to support and guide them.

The Role of Communication: Open and honest communication builds trust between parents and children. Encourage children to share their thoughts, and make time to listen without judgment.

Being a Role Model: Children learn more from their parents' actions than from their words. Showing kindness, honesty, and responsibility in daily life helps children embrace those values naturally.

Adapting with Growth: Parenting changes as children grow. What works for a toddler may not work for a teenager. Parents must stay flexible, keep learning, and evolve their approach with each stage.

Parenting with Purpose: Parenting is an art that needs heart, patience, and ongoing learning. When we parent with intention, love, and respect, we raise not just good children but also future adults who can positively contribute to the world.

Children need love, support, acceptance, and encouragement from their parents, family members, and friends. They are more likely to feel good about themselves when they know their parents love them. Here are some tips for positive parenting:

• Spend time reading, singing, and playing with your children every day. 

• 
  Listen to them(your Child). 

• Encourage your children daily. Be positive and tell them what they are doing well.
  

• Tell your children you love them as individuals, even if there are behaviors you don’t like.  

• Comfort and reward your children by doing a special activity together. Rewards can include a trip to the beach, park, or library, reading books, or playing games. Avoid using food as a reward.  

• Remember, each child is an individual who is special and unique.  

• Involve children in shopping for food and preparing meals.  
  

• Ensure your child gets enough sleep each night.

Choose Healthy Food

To choose healthy food for a child, focus on a balanced diet from all food groups. Include plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains like bread and pasta, and lean proteins such as fish, beans, and eggs. Add low-fat dairy or fortified alternatives, and encourage water instead of sugary drinks. Limit processed foods, snacks high in added sugar or salt, and unhealthy fats.

Base Meals Food Group

Fruits and Vegetables: Aim for a variety of colors to ensure you get different vitamins and minerals. 

 

Grains: Choose whole-grain options like whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and whole-grain pasta instead of refined grains.  

Protein: Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, eggs, and soy products.  

Dairy: Provide low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese, or fortified dairy alternatives.  

Snack and drink

Healthy Snacks: Choose fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, or whole-grain crackers instead of sugary or salty processed snacks. 

Hydration: Water should be your main drink. Limit sugary drinks like soda and juice. Water and milk are the best options between meals.

Healthy Eating Habits

• Encourage children to enjoy and learn about different foods. All foods can fit into a healthy eating plan.

  

• At meals, try to fill about half the plate with fruits and vegetables.  

• Plan meals and snacks for about the same time each day.  

• Drink water when thirsty. Limit sodas and sweet drinks.  

• For meals and snacks, buy foods low in sugar, salt, and fat.  

• Serve smaller portions. Let your child ask for more.  

• Allow children to stop eating when they are full, not when the plate is empty.  

• Eat meals together as a family as often as you can and make these mealtimes enjoyable.  

• Turn off the television during mealtimes.  

Physical Activity

Toddlers need at least 180 minutes of different physical activities each day. This should include at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity. Examples are active play such as running, jumping, ball games, dancing, and riding tricycles or scooters. It's important to avoid long stretches of inactivity, like sitting for screens or being in a stroller. More movement is always beneficial. Some activities are listed here:

• Walking  

•  Playing at the park or playground  

•  Swimming  

•  Riding a tricycle or bicycle  

•  Dancing to music  

• 
   Roller-skating or rollerblading  

•  Playing games like soccer, kickball, basketball, and tennis  
  

•  Playing games that involve running, skipping, hopping, jumping, or marching; these can be outdoor activities or indoor games  

•  Helping with household chores like cleaning and yard work  

For Toddlers, Limit Screen Time to One Hour Per Day. Parents Should Watch with Children to Help them Understand What They are Seeing.

Do Not Allow Your Child to have a Television, Computer, or Video Games in His or Her Bedroom.