Happy Feet For Kids – Blog

Parenthood is a journey those with young ones must take and make their own path as they relish in it. In this feature, we’ll look at ten things that great parents often do.

1. Affirm Yourself

   To be a great parent, always do what you say you are going to do. There are two ways to go about this: avoid making rules that you cannot enforce and ensure you keep your commitments. Show your kids how important affirming themselves is as this builds respect and trust.

2. Point out the Good in the Child’s Action

   When you find or discover your kids doing something good, point out to them what you specifically liked in their act. Deep down, children want to please their parents and will strive to do constructive actions in order to receive some positive feedback from them. Unfortunately, most parents are quick to point out children weaknesses or where they need to improve instead of focusing on the good aspects.
   It is critical that parents balance the messages they send out to their children and make them feel appreciated at every turn, just like adults.

3. Teach Your Kids of Natural Consequences

   To be a great parent, it is also essential that you let your children experience the natural consequences of their actions or choices. Unless it is a safety or health risk, letting them experience it is an integral part of learning. This also minimizes power struggles as you won’t have to intervene.

4. Be A Guide

   Another important aspect of becoming a great parent is showing your kids the way. Instead of punishing them whenever they do wrong as it’ll only suppress bad behavior, hold a discussion with them and let them know what they’ve done isn’t good. In case of good behavior, reward them with praise and encourage them to continue in that path.

5. Don’t Over-function Your Kids

   Indicate to them that making mistakes and experiencing disappointments and “failure” is part of life experiences. Don’t overbear them as this provides an opportunity for them to learn and practice coping skills.

6. Practice Touching them Positively

   A parent’s positive touch i.e., hugs, cuddles and loving pats are critical to children’s development. Take your time to give your kids these positive touches, for the older children this might be tricky but a loving pat on the back will do.

7. Distinguish Between Kids and Their Behavior

   It is prudent that you indicate through words and actions that you love your children, even if they tend to exhibit bad behaviors. If they misbehave, instead of asking “what’s wrong with you?’’ simply say “I don’t like that behavior, because…” The former statement introduces shame and guilt, which tends to impact kids negatively, while the latter is an approach based on empathy and reason.
   Also, pay attention to your non-verbal cues as they can indicate a different meaning to your words.

8. Discipline Kids When They are not Hungry or Tired

   Quite often, when kids are hungry or tired, they lose focus on your efforts in disciplining them. Since the goal of discipline is learning, ensure they’re in a proper physical and mental state.

9. Impact the “3 P’s” in Your Kids

   Teach your kids the 3 P’s: patience, practice, and perseverance as the cornerstone of success.

10. Help them ‘Feel’ and Wisely Choose their Actions

    Coach them how to respond, instead of reacting, this is the most important skill our children need to learn.

Homepage of Happy Feet for Kids School, Daycare in Sanjay Nagar, Bangalore

For a child growing up, nothing is more important than what is on their plate. Eating a balanced diet is essential for the purpose of healthy living and thus begs the question, what is a good diet for a kid? Consuming a variety of foods in a balanced diet is the key to healthy living. Each food in a kids plate must have a unique mix of nutrients—both mac­ronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and healthy fat) as well as micronutrients (vitamins and essential minerals).

A Good Diet for a Kid

A kid’s diet is fairly simple, fill half of their plate with colorful vegetables and fruits and the other half should contain whole grains and healthy protein. The plate ratio is 50% Vegetables, 25% Grains and 25% Proteins

• Vegetables

The more the vegetables on the plate and of different variety the better. Most vegetables have a positive impact on blood sugar and are highly nutritious. They are known for their alkaline feature and high fiber content. Vegetables like leafy greens, cauliflower, and broccoli are rich in micronutrients.

• Fruits

Fruits are also important in a kids’ diet, in fact, fruits should be consumed as snacks. Fruits are rich in vitamins like Vitamin C and contain minerals like magnesium and are also full of fiber. Seasonal fruits are best eaten whole rather than blended as juice and give them to your child during their season, i.e., Avocado post summer, oranges during winter, water melon during summer, seasonal berries etc.

• Whole Grains

Whole grains are a rich source of the macronutrients carbohydrates and protein. It is necessary that you go for non processed whole grains. Whole grains like whole wheat bread (avoid wheat if allergic to gluten), brown or basmati rice cooked in plenty of water and water drained out, and quinoa have a gentle effect on blood sugar (glycemic index) and insulin compared to processed and refined grains.

• Protein

Proteins are bodybuilding foods essential for a growing child. Select from the wide range of available protein both from plants and animal sources i.e., beans, peas, nuts, seeds, as well as fish, eggs, meat and poultry. However, it is necessary to avoid processed meat like sausages, bacon, and deep oil fried meat, or fast food burgers.

• Soaked Nuts & Beans

Nuts, just like other plant foods, are rich in nutrients, including healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and moderate protein quantity. In addition, they are an incredible source of dietary fiber and the B complex vitamins and trace elements like iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, potassium and antioxidant minerals like copper and selenium. Nuts like almond, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, pumpkins seeds, and sun flower seeds to be soaked overnight and given next day. Feeding raw nuts and seeds to kids are not beneficial, it is recommended to soak or sprout to release anti-nutrients and access locked nutrition’s and easily digest.

• Probiotics

For a healthy digestive system, probiotics are essential in maintaining gut microbiota. Gut microbiota is responsible for maintaining the immune system. A good source of probiotics are sauerkraut, milk kefir, coconut kefir, kimchi and yogurt, please try to give homemade only. Dairy probiotic foods are rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorous. Furthermore, it is rich in vitamins A, D and B-complex (B1, B12, and B7), carbohydrates and protein. These are essential nutrients for growth and development.

As you plan your diet please ensure to make these changes;

1. Limit the intake of sugar, processed and junk food, these are the main causes of digestive disorders followed with cold, cough, fever and low immunity .
2. Also, avoid processed foods, carbonated drinks and packed foods, snacks or drinks. They may contain preservatives, hidden sugar, toxic metals and unknown chemicals.

Lastly, Please remember:

1. Giving enough water helps them to keep hydrated.
2. Give moderate amount of milk, just as a supplement but not as main food, post eating breakfast is fine.
3. Avoid over feeding, or pressurize to eat more.
4. To avoid kids watching TV/mobile while eating.
5. Don’t pressurize kids to eat food or drink milk while they are sick and recovering.
6. Encourage kids social gathering like potlucks, cooking classes etc..
7. Involve kids while cooking and mix fun. Kids can learn our culture, math skills, science, and improve creativity while they explore cooking.
8. Incorporating physical activity on daily basis and daily minimum 30 minutes to 1 hour of direct sunlight exposure on skin to gain vitamin D3, this helps in healthy metabolism, building immunity, support healthy bone and teeth development, and much more.

Photographs: Happy Feet School Kids
Article References: Dr.Mark Hyman Blog, Functional Medicine., Cleveland Clinic, Luke Coutinho and Fox News.

Homepage of Happy Feet for Kids School, Preschool in Sanjay Nagar.

 

Today, parenting is a complex matter and an overly different experience than before. To have a better relationship with your child, it is essential to develop some basic principles to guide you through. These principles form the basis of raising happy and fulfilling children. Outlined below are top ten steps to raising happy children.

1. Moderately Praise your Child

   Praise directs your values to your children and further sets expectations for them. Reasonable praises like “you’re smart,” “you’re kind,” etc. conveys the message that you believe in them, it sets high expectations within your children’s reach. On the other hand, praises like “you’re brilliant,” “you’re perfect,” “you’re the most beautiful,” etc. set impossible expectations.
   Therefore, you must be conscious of the praises you shower your kids with, ensure they’re realistic and reasonable. It reduces the chances of them bowing under pressure while trying to maintain the track record or failing to achieve such goals.

2. Do Not Discuss Them When They are Near

   Discussing your children while they are within hearing range is dangerous. For instance, if they hear you speaking about how jealous, mean, not that smart or how shy or fearful they are, without a doubt they’ll assume that is the truth. Unfortunately, it becomes engrained in their mind that they cannot control their problem behaviors. Avoid discussing your children when they are around and can hear.

3. Don’t Overpower Your Kids

   Your children develop well under the proper leadership and guidance. They feel more secure is they have someone to depend on. When kids are small, they have few choices, small responsibilities, and less liberty. As they grow, add them more liberties, choices, and responsibilities. It will appear to them that they feel trusted despite their limits.
   However, if you give young children too many responsibilities, more freedoms and heavy choices to make, they become empowered early and start becoming rebellious, angry and even depressed. They refuse to acknowledge authority and follow rules set and demand to be treated as adults.

4. Build Resiliency

   Albeit kids need to develop a sense of sensitivity, overprotecting them makes them too dependent and overly sensitive. Your child should learn to recover from failures, losses by teaching them resiliency.

5. Stay United, and respect Each Other As Parents

   Parents who lead in opposite directions often end up confusing the child and even worse, feel neglected. Moreover, a child will not respect their parent if they notice they don’t respect each other first.

6. Hold Education Institutions In High Esteem

   Your child’s education is the most important aspect of their development. Valuing their education will indicate the clarity and importance of learning. Talk well of their teachers, and school in general, this promotes respect as well.

7. Be Positive About Your Jobs

   If you are the type to get home and constantly complain about your work, your kids will follow the trend and become anti-work children. They’ll start complaining about chores and schoolwork. Instead of complaining, remind them to work hard in their education to have better work.

8. Be A Role Model

   Your kids look up to you are their moral and ethical compass. Your kids are fast learners as well as quick to grasp things. If they notice you being disrespectful or getting away with breaking the law, they take the opportunity and emulate you on that. Moreover, they’ll look up to other adults, so it is better to find good role models for your children. Introduce your kids to mentors and friends and mentors who’ll influence them positively.

9. Have Learning Experiences Together

   Make time for your kid during their formative years and learning with them. This forges greater bonds and makes them understand that they’ll be learners forever.

10. Separate Child Fun Time and Adult Fun Time

    You have the liberty to enjoy your life as well despite being a parent. Go out for dates and catch up with your friends while still having the time to spend with your family. Schedule your life accordingly and your child will not feel neglected.

    Homepage of Happy Feet for Kids School, Preschool in Sanjay Nagar.