How to Motivate Your Child to Be Healthy

Being healthy is important. However, we often struggle to get motivated to change our habits or make swaps that would be healthier for us in the long run. This is especially true for children, who don’t always understand the importance of nutrition and exercise. Kids often prioritize things like taste and play over nutrient density and regular exercise. Here are a few ways you can motivate your child to be healthy.

Make it Fun

Children don't want to hear about what they’re doing wrong, and life improvement doesn’t become a good motivator until you’re closer to adulthood. So, what better way to encourage better life choices than to make it fun? Rather than finding the best foods and exercises for optimal results, try to find ones that your child will enjoy. Make getting healthier a positive experience for your child by cheering them on and rewarding them when they do well.

Keep it Simple

When people resist moving into healthier habits, it’s often because they feel like becoming healthy is too complicated. This is especially true for children. Rules about eating reasonable portion sizes and playing outside for a certain amount of time each day are easier to follow than long lists of “good” and “bad” foods and habits. The easier a plan is for your child to follow, the more likely they will be to stick to it.

Schedule Activities

Children like routines. Knowing what time they’ll be eating, exercising and doing homework each day will help them form new habits. While it’s important to schedule in time for these activities, it’s just as important to make schedules for things like video games and watching their favorite shows. Life is all about balance, and that means setting aside time for each activity and setting healthy limits. 

Model Good Behavior

If you tell your child to get healthier while demonstrating unhealthy behaviors, they’ll be less inclined to listen. It will also be easier for your child to stick to the program if you demonstrate what healthy habits look like. You can even try some activities with your child, like taking walks around the block or sticking to the same snack and meal schedule every day. The more routine healthy habits become, the easier they’ll be for your child to follow. 

Be a Cheerleader 

The best way to foster good habits in your child is to provide positive reinforcement. When they do a great job by eating more nutritious foods or exercising more, tell them. Make sure they know that you’re aware of their progress. If they slip up, give them grace, and let them know that they can always pick it back up. When you’re on your child’s team, you encourage their success.

At our school, we encourage children to practice healthy habits at school and at home. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a Titusville private school, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop their full potential. Teachers foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and equip students for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.