How to Support Healthy Childhood Development

Growth should not be measured just by height and weight. There are many other factors that can shape a child’s personality and behavior. When ideas are internalized, they can become the foundation upon which other concepts are built. Childhood memories usually last longer than other memories and have the biggest impact on the child’s future. Adults in a child’s life should make good memories with kids, so future generations grow up healthy and happy.

Memories don’t come with a save and delete option. The memory of an angry breakdown can’t be replaced by a memory of a trip to the bowling alley. Every moment is being saved, so make the best of every moment. Here are five ways on how to support childhood development by promoting good habits and controlling the bad ones.

Allow Them to Explore

It’s natural to want to keep children safe, but don’t make the mistake of sacrificing mobility for safety. Sometimes bad experiences can be better teachers than good ones. So as long as there’s no serious risk, let them explore the world. Watch from a distance as they enjoy a well-built, commercial swing set or make sandcastles on the beach. If they feel they’re on their own, they may learn to figure things out by themselves.

Take them to different places, from museums to concerts, and introduce them to different people, from all races and ages. The goal is to boost their confidence to follow their interests without societal pressure. Explain the importance of safety precautions and allow them more time on their own as they grow older. These experiences help them find like-minded friends, further strengthening their values and beliefs.

Cultivate Social Skills

Some kids are naturally extroverted and don’t have any trouble making new friends. Others can be shy and need to be encouraged to open up and mingle with their peers. Enroll kids into sports or clubs where they’ll be exposed to various social situations. It’ll help them learn how to follow rules and take turns. If they get into a disagreement, teach them how to handle it, instead of swooping in and taking control yourself.

At home, arrange playdates so the kids learn one-on-one cooperation and empathy. Teach them strategic thinking by playing games like chess as well as skill building through games like Jenga. Quietly observe their behavior in difficult situations and then, later at night, discuss how they could have handled it better. Keep giving them feedback but do so kindly and discreetly.

Encourage Open Communication

The way you communicate with children sets the tone for your future relationship with them. Make them feel comfortable in your company so they can talk about what’s really on their mind. Don’t be quick to judge and point out mistakes. Listen to their problems attentively and show empathy for their feelings. Once you’re able to earn their trust, half the battle is won.

Encourage them to express themselves by asking open-ended questions.

 If you ask them “How was your day?” they may shrug and say “Fine” in one word. Rephrasing that question into “What was the best part of today?” may make them share an incident or experience. By helping them verbalize their thoughts, you can help them modify their thinking process by highlighting a positive aspect of a seemingly bad day.

Emotional Intelligence

Everyone has bad days, including children. Cheering them up with ice cream is a temporary solution. You need to tackle the root cause of their problems and teach them how to manage their own emotions. Validate their emotions by labeling them so the children become self-aware of their own behavior. Also, teach them empathy by showing how other people’s words and body language reflect their emotions.

Once kids begin to understand how their behavior affects others, come up with new strategies to achieve desired outcomes. If a sibling has the music on too loud, discuss whether yelling at them would help or not. Think of alternate solutions that are mutually beneficial for all involved. Remind your child that being kind is mandatory and that their behavior shouldn’t ever hurt someone physically or emotionally.

Nurture a Healthy Lifestyle

Physical and mental health depends a lot on how you treat your body. Make sure your children eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated, and engage in physical activities. Incorporate brain food like fish and whole grains in their diet to boost brain health and improve memory. Involving kids in the cooking process gives them a sense of ownership over the food and makes them less picky.

Limit screen time and encourage them to play outdoors instead. Simple activities like going on a walk with family or playing tag in the backyard can help build muscle. Play sports with them but remember to focus on participation not perfection. They should see the exercise as fun, not a chore to just finish off. Balance the activities with a good night’s sleep and you’ll get the perfect combination for good health.

Efforts > Outcome

Parenting does not have a one-size-fits-all mantra. Every child has their own strengths and weaknesses so modify your approach to target areas where improvement is needed. Sometimes, the results might not be up to your expectations and that’s natural. By appreciating their efforts, not the outcome, you’re teaching kids to keep trying and staying strong.

Demonstrating accountability, empathy, and honesty in your own life teaches kids those values through example. Be the role model you needed when you were younger, and your efforts won’t ever go to waste. You have the power to chip off the jagged edges of their personality and make them resilient and well-rounded. The right choices you make today, may help them make right choices in their own lives, tomorrow.