The early stages of a child’s life are critical for their physical and health well-being, emotional upbringing, and social and cognitive growth and development. That is why it is really important for the family to become loving, affectionate, and supportive to their children for it set a good foundation for their future learning.
Ensuring that children eat nutritious foods daily, have enough exercise, as well as medical care will not only make them strong and healthy, but will also give them good start in their lives. By doing so chances that the children will grow up problematic and undisciplined will be less likely.
Food
Always give your child nutritious food to keep her healthy. Practice them earlier to not eat too much fatty foods and sweets. Provide them balanced food indicated in the food pyramid including breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and fish and meat alternatives (such as eggs and dried beans and peas) and milk, cheese and yogurt. Since children from 2-5 years old can already eat like as adults, you only need to consult your doctor and ask advice on how to properly feed children under the age of 2.
Exercise
Ample exercise should be given to children even if they are still toddlers. Physical activities could be as simple as coordinating their legs and arms, throwing and catching balls, jumping, running, and climbing, or even dancing to the tune of their favorite music. Other fun activities and exercise are coloring with crayons, putting together puzzles, picking up and grasping small objects such as coins and beads.
Medical Care
Make sure that your child receives regular check up to your pediatrician or clinic. Ensure that they have immunizations already against numerous diseases like measles, mumps, German measles (rubella), diphtheria, tetanus, polio and tuberculosis. These diseases should be prevented immediately before the child reaches age of 3. It is important that you talk to your doctor frequently about the benefits and risks of the immunization.
Social and Emotional Preparation
Emotional and social preparation of children can be best learned if parents practice and teach them. Giving them ample opportunities at home could help them develop the following positive attributes.
Confidence – Children must feel good about themselves. Try to always encourage them to be self-assured and assertive by always telling how great they are, and how they are capable of doing things.
Independence – Children must learn to do things by themselves and not be always dependent on their parents.
Motivation – Children must always be inspired to do their best in whatever undertaking they have.
Curiosity – It is essential for a child if she always asks question. It only means she is willing and eager to learn. If they are curious about something, let them be, but be sure you provide reliable answers to their queries.
Persistence – Children must learn how to persevere, and must be taught that they could attain something if they just keep on and stick with their goals.
Cooperation – Children must be taught how to interrelate with other people, younger or older than they are, appropriately and effectively.
Self-control – Children must know the fact that they should not be always impulsive and aggressive. They must distinguish between what they should and should not do.
Compassion – Children should be taught how to sympathize with others, to feel what others feel, and understand them.
To develop these good qualities in your children, here are some steps you can always follow:
Be caring and dependable. – Always show to your children that you truly love and care for them. Give them enough attention, care, praise, encouragement, kiss and hug, which will motivate them to do their daily activities and will boost their self-confidence.
Be a good example. – Since your children look up to you for guidance and protection, set yourself as a good example to them. Eat nutritious food with them, exercise, be gentle and friendly to others, and be thoughtful of other’s feeling and by doing so, your children will think that it is also the best way they can be.
Practice, practice, practice. – For your children to absorb what you are teaching them, like crawling, pronouncing new words, drinking, using spoon and pork, do not hesitate to repeat things. Your children will best remember all of them if you would provide them opportunities for repetition.
Be disciplinary. – You don’t have to be too strict to your children for them to be disciplined. What’s important is that you give them firm but loving control and authority, without giving them few or too many limits.
Always remember that in disciplining your kids, you must direct them in their activities but you don’t have to be too bossy. Give them reasons why they have to do something good. Listen to them about how they feel about something and explain things that they could not understand. Also, always show them love and respect; criticize their wrong behavior, not their personality; provide them options to choose what they want; and always be positive and encouraging. Help your child make choices and solve problems. You might ask them simple questions like “what should we do to your baby brother if he keeps crying all night?”
Let your child be independent. - You have to teach your child to things by herself, but still you need to watch them closely. When they learn things by themselves, it would surely enhance their self-confidence. Let them do simple tasks like eating meal on their own, dressing themselves, and arranging their toys and puzzles.
Encourage your child to interact to different people. – Let them play with other children and to be with adults who are not their family members like their teacher.
Be optimistic toward learning and toward school. – Always tell your child that learning is really an enjoyable experience. Encourage them to explore and discover things. Also, make them proud of their accomplishments. Above all, be enthusiastic as you describe about starting school. Tell them about the nice things they will learn like reading, counting, and writing.
For more:
How to start a daycare business by OwnADaycare.com
