Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

As we start a New Year many of us will make New Year's resolutions and promises we hope to keep. One might be to be healthier this year. What can we do to promote children's health?

Planning healthy meals and snacks, drinking enough water and getting enough rest and exercise are some of the ways we plan for children in settings. Try getting the children to help prepare snack so they become more interested in the healthier options if they are not already. Try some new foods, fruit or vegetables each week to introduce new tastes and textures and discuss the benefits of them.

There are other factors which affect children's health and well-being to consider such as supporting independence and self-care. Try to encourage children to do things by themselves for themselves such as putting their own socks and shoes on, changing their shoes for their wellies when going outside and putting on their own coats. It's so much easier and quicker to do these things for them but the feeling they will get from being able to do it by themselves is so rewarding.

Simple frames covered in netting along with ribbons will help children to thread and tie things so eventually they will be able to tie shoe laces and learn to plait and knot. Get them to practice dressing skills when its change time so they are used to trying to put on and take off their own clothing independently. This will help when they transition to school and have to change for P.E. Toothbrushes are a good thing to add to their daily routine as so they can take care of their teeth after meals and snacks to keep them healthy. Ensuring that they are hydrated is also crucial to promoting good
health.

Praising children will make them more likely to want to repeat these self-care actions so star charts and sticker rewards are a good incentive.

Sleep and rest are equally important for growth and well-being so finding time to support this throughout the day is essential.
Some settings are so busy all of the time to try and fit in as many elements of
the curriculum as possible that there is no down time for children. Having a
chill out area with relaxing music, lavender, and soft lighting could beneficial so that children can take a break from the stimulus they are absorbing each day.

All of these activities can be promoted in fun and interesting ways so that they are a positive thing to do and not a chore. Above all they will help to keep children healthy and well.

Til next time......