Every Kid Healthy Week will be recognized next week from April 26 to 30 as a way to celebrate health and wellness achievements for school-aged children across the nation. It is a week that focuses on teaching the importance of good nutrition, physical activity, self-care, emotional health and everything else that leads to an overall healthy lifestyle.

Providers at Prowers Medical Center help teach healthy habits to children in the community through an annual well-child check; however, most habits that children form start in their homes and are learned from their parents or guardians at a young age. Here are few general tips you can implement at home to ensure your child is set up for success later in life.

Practice Mindfulness, Self-Care

Mental health is as important as physical health. By teaching children self-care, they can learn how to identify their physical and emotional needs and address them before they become overwhelming. Allow your child to express their emotions, but help them better understand how to appropriately handle their negative emotions through communication.

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry reports that on average, U.S. children ages 8 through 12 spend about 4 to 6 hours per day watching or using screens, which can take a toll on their mental health. Limit screen time and encourage your child to find other activities that bring them joy.

Teach Good Nutrition

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 percent of U.S. children ages 2 through 19 are obese. Childhood obesity leads to increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol; increased risk for type 2 diabetes; breathing issues like asthma; and joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort. It’s also related to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Teach kids to build a healthy foundation by increasing their intake of fruits and vegetables and try not to forbid your child from treats. The goal is to encourage them to make healthier choices and to reward those choices; for example, acknowledging them in a positive way when they reach for an apple instead of a cookie.

Prioritize Physical Activity

The amount of physical activity or active play your child needs depends on your child’s age. According to the CDC, preschool-aged children typically need to be active every day throughout the day, whereas children ages 6 and older should aim for about an hour a day of moderate-to-vigorous activity. Daily activities that strengthen bones, like running and jumping, should be mixed with exercises that build muscle, like climbing or doing push-ups.

A good rule of thumb is that if the activity gets their heart rate up, it’ll be good for them. Some tips to getting your child active include:

  • Lead by example through your daily activity.
  • Make exercise apart of your family’s daily routine.
  • Swap TV time for fun activities they enjoy, such as skating, swimming or biking.

Schedule a Well-Child Check

Ensuring your child visits with their provider at least once a year ensures any developmental issues are addressed right away and helps track their year-over-year progress. It is also a great opportunity to speak directly to a medical professional about any concerns you have about your child’s health.

During their well-child check, your child will be checked from head to toe. They will have their blood pressure, heart rate and breathing checked as well as their height and weight to determine their BMI. This is also the appointment where any necessary immunizations will be given.

Vaccines are the best way to prevent the spread of 14 different diseases, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it after it occurs, which is why sticking to your child’s vaccination schedule is essential in ensuring they are healthy today and into the future.

Prowers Medical Center Family Medicine providers are happy to visit with patients of all ages and answer questions about your child’s health. To schedule an appointment, call (719) 336-6767. The Clinic is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information on walk-in hours, go to prowersmedical.com/services/clinic.