By Katie Brenneman
Providing a health-conscious atmosphere for children helps them establish positive habits for life. You can help kids replace junk food with healthy choices they want to eat. You can also create a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive.
Nurture Children with Simplicity
One way to start is by modeling simplicity and contentment for children in your care. Young children know how to be content with simple things, like running, skipping, and imaginary play, but their devices can tempt them away from healthy play. Teach them to set boundaries by reminding them of the joys of simplicity. Take them outside for activities like yoga, deep breathing, and grounding.
Continue to create more nurturing environments for children by making them feel safe and accepted. You can do this by modeling the values that bring you joy, like gratitude for having them in your life. Let them do things at their own pace while encouraging them to strive for more. Establish daily routines but give them some control over their activities to empower them.
Young children struggle to control their emotions and have outbursts. If there is a conflict between children, model appropriate behavior. Demonstrate strength and kindness as you help them to show them that there is a better way to handle emotions. They will learn that a disagreement does not have to upset a friendship.
As a childcare professional, you should create child-safe zones to safely supervise them. Regularly monitor fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Use bump guards and doorstops to prevent furniture and doors from hurting kids. Keep dangerous products high or locked away, and childproof all the areas they can access.
Caregivers and nannies must also prepare for emergencies. In addition to a fully stocked first-aid kit, you should know life-saving procedures, such as the Heimlich maneuver and CPR. Be familiar with exit routes and do mock emergency drills with the kids. Always keep the numbers for Poison Control and the nearest hospital handy.
All that work might make the kids hungry.
Support Healthy Food Choices
Most kids love snack time. Too often, their options are full of processed chemicals. Natural foods, like produce or grains, are a better substitute. However, many of these foods suffer from high exposure to herbicides and pesticides. These chemicals protect crops from pests and weeds but may harm humans. A common pesticide contains glyphosate. The EPA claims it is safe, but some studies show that ingesting large amounts can lead to cancer.
To keep kids safe, serve them foods with the lowest exposure, such as cauliflower, asparagus, cranberries and cranberry juice, mushrooms, truffles, oat products, and edible seeds. Alternatively, choose certified USDA organic produce grown without glyphosate.
You can encourage kids to select healthy snack ideas. Ingredients like fish, leafy greens, and berries are perfectly suited for any child’s meal when presented in an engaging way. For example, have them choose between one mini-candy bar or a tray of veggies with dipping sauce.
You can also let them participate in fun mealtime prep:
- Let them create their own superfruit smoothie;
- Have them make toast and top it with a variety of healthful toppings;
- Cut up endive “boats” to dip in a spicy sauce;
- Change up ants on a log by filling celery with hummus and black olives.
It doesn’t matter if the kids haven’t tried some of these foods. What’s important is your attitude. If you eagerly share creative snacks you enjoy, they’ll be excited to try them.
By providing a safe and nurturing environment and making wholesome food fun, the children in your care will thrive as they grow. They may come away with life-long healthy habits.
Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, education, and fitness-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter.