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Healthy Habits for Kids
Healthy Habits for Kids
Topic Overview
Habits are hard to break. That's why the sooner in life we build good, healthy habits, the easier it is to keep them and stay as healthy as possible. And when good habits are in place, it's easier to resist bad ones.
Your child's habits start with you
The most important thing to remember is that you are your child's role model. Your habits affect your children's habits.
If your habits are unhealthy—smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or always expecting the worst, for example—your child is more likely to get those habits.
If your habits are healthy—eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, looking forward to tomorrow, for example—your children are more likely to build those habits in their own lives.
What follows is help and advice for building good, lifelong habits in four areas:
- Healthy eating.
- Regular physical activity.
- Staying safe and healthy.
- Healthy thinking.
Healthy eating
Healthy eating links
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Get the facts:
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- Healthy Eating for Children
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Take action:
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- Healthy Eating: Helping Your Child Learn Healthy Eating Habits
- Healthy Eating: Making Healthy Choices When You Shop
- Quick Tips: Making Fast, Healthy Meals
- Quick Tips: Healthy Eating on a Budget
- Quick Tips: Adding Fruits and Vegetables to Your Diet
- Quick Tips: Making Healthy Snacks
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More healthy habit information:
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- Healthy Eating: Helping Your Child Learn Healthy Eating Habits
- Healthy Eating: Cutting Unhealthy Fats From Your Diet
- Healthy Eating: Making Healthy Choices When You Eat Out
- Healthy Eating in Children: Things That Influence Food Choices
- Feeding Your Child Using Division of Responsibility
- Healthy Eating: Starting a Plan for Change
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Regular physical activity
Physical activity links
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Get the facts:
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- Physical Activity for Children and Teens
- Helping Children With Disabilities Stay Active
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Take action:
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- Fitness: Teaching Your Child to Stay Active
- Quick Tips: Getting Active as a Family
- Quick Tips: Getting in Shape Without Spending Money
- Quick Tips: Fitting Physical Activity Into Your Day
- Quick Tips: Getting Active at Home
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More healthy habit information:
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- Fitness: Adding More Activity to Your Life
- Fitness: Staying Active When You Have Young Children
- Fitness: Walking for Wellness
- Fitness: Choosing Activities That Are Right for You
- Quick Tips: Staying Active in Hot Weather
- Quick Tips: Staying Active in Cold Weather
- Exercise and Physical Activity Ideas
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Staying safe and healthy
Health and safety links
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Get the facts:
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- Health and Safety, Birth to 2 Years
- Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years
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Take action:
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- Quick Tips: Helping Your Child Stay Safe and Healthy
- Protecting Your Child From Infections
- Taking Your Child to Routine Doctor Visits
- Sleep: Helping Your Children—and Yourself—Sleep Well
- Quick Tips: Using Backpacks Safely
- Talking With Your Child About Sex
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More healthy habit information:
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Health
- Protecting Your Child's Skin From Sun
- Child Safety: Air Pollution
- Basic Dental Care
- Hand-Washing
- Teenage Sleep Patterns
- Safer Sex
Safety
- Child Safety: Pets
- Child Safety: Preventing Drowning
- Child Safety: Streets and Motor Vehicles
- Child Safety: Preventing Child Abduction
- Preventing Children's Injuries From Sports and Other Activities
- Teen Relationship Abuse
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Healthy thinking
Healthy thinking links
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Get the facts:
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- Helping Your Child Build Inner Strength
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Take action:
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- Growth and Development: Helping Your Child Build Self-Esteem
- Stress Management: Helping Your Child With Stress
- Help Your School-Age Child Develop Social Skills
- Helping Your Child Build a Healthy Body Image
- Helping Your Child Avoid Tobacco, Drugs, and Alcohol
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More healthy habit information:
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Encourage balanced thinking:
- Recognizing and Developing Your Children's Special Talents
- Stop Negative Thoughts: Choosing a Healthier Way of Thinking
- Helping Your School-Age Child Learn About the Body
- Tips for Parents of Teens
Manage stress:
- Stress in Children and Teens
- Stress Management: Managing Your Time
Prevent bullying:
- Bullying: How to Help Your Child Who Bullies
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Current as of: October 10, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:John Pope MD - Pediatrics & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2023 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
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