Importance of healthy habits: How to teach children good habits

Teaching children healthy habits is very important. Just like water takes the shape of its vessel, similarly, children also develop habits they see of their family members, especially parents. To teach children healthy habits one must incur these habits in themselves. 

Things to do

The parents should make sure they dress well and look presentable all the time. This helps in teaching children good hygiene and cleanliness. Talking about hygiene, making them learn to wear clean clothes and taking a bath regularly is very important. It is the responsibility of a parent to make them wash their hands before and after eating food because habits are built over time. As children learn from their parents, make sure that washing hands and legs is a priority whenever you enter the house.

Always be generous towards kids and show them affection by kissing and hugging them. This will help develop a sense of belonging, family love and generosity. Avoid talking ill about other people in their presence as your kids will develop a similar nature which will affect their social life in the longer run.

Also Read | Are you a cleanliness freak, do you clean your closet daily?

When talking to their grandparents, encourage children to speak and mix up with them or take them on a visit to meet their grandpa and grandma. If a person wants their children to be kind and loving towards them, they will have to show them by doing the same with their own parents. Read a short story every day or every night because it will inculcate the love for reading in your children.

Also Read | PM Modi lauds Tata Group, Reliance Foundation for cleanliness drives

Appreciate their efforts and creativity, hear them out and their cute stories. Ask permission before entering their rooms, this will help children learn to do the same when wanting to enter anyone’s room. Apologise to kids if you make a mistake. Apologising will teach the kids to be humble. Teach children patience and gratefulness by not giving them everything they ask for. It is important to make them learn the importance of money, ‘thank you’ and ‘please’.

Also Read | Dry fruits: Here is a list of health benefits of these potent fruits

Also Read | The various uses and health benefits of oranges and orange juice