As the famous philosopher, Aristotle once said - we are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit. Habits are patterns in human behavior that will gradually shape our inherent character, integrity, and quality of life. It is arguably the underlying force that determines the quality of an individual, as well as their impact on others and their environment.

With that understanding, it becomes clear that teaching good habits to children is imperative to foster their growth as individuals. In this article, we’ll be sharing insights on how you can instill good habits in your kids so that they can live healthy lives.

Incorporate fruits and fiber into their diets

We all know nutrition is an important factor in children’s cognitive and physiological growth. Make sure to incorporate plenty of greens, fruits and high-fiber foods in their daily diets. It would help if you establish this habit yourself, and practice it daily. Children have the tendency to mirror the interests of their parents or guardians. Therefore, we should serve as models for them to follow.

Moderate sugar consumption

To add on to our first point, it’s also important to curate their foods to moderate their sugar consumption. Avoid artificial sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, and beverages with concentrated ingredients.

Model good oral hygiene

Oral hygiene is one habit that should be modeled early in every child’s life. It can be easy to forget that our teeth are also vital organs, just like our lungs, heart and liver. Our teeth are part of the skeletal system, along with our bones. Teach your kids to brush their teeth twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Brush your teeth with them if necessary so they can understand the importance of oral hygiene. This simple habit can go a long way to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and other gum-related diseases.

Stay hydrated

Drinking water seems like an obvious habit, but it’s easier said than done when there are many sugary beverages out there that appeal to kids. Make it easy for your kids to choose water by infusing it with lemon, cucumber, strawberry, or any other fruits that they like. Not only will it taste refreshing, but they’ll also benefit from the vitamins as well.

IPEKA Integrated Christian School

IPEKA Integrated Christian School (IICS) is a Christian-centered institution for educating the youth to become the leaders of the future. Our curriculum incorporates international standards for academic excellence, while also integrating character-building to create strong individuals who will make an impact on their communities and environment.