It’s the new year! Let’s get back to healthier habits.
Re-Establish Routines
Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to get back into a routine.
Establishing routines can help families function more cohesively. When parents stick to routines, children often feel safer, more confident, and organized. Routines can also help make transitions smoother, making for a happier home environment.
Two routines that we can start right away in the new year are bedtime routines and morning routines:
- A bedtime routine can help your child decompress and calm down after a busy day. One easy bedtime routine to remember comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics, California Chapter 3’s (AAP-CA3) Reach Out and Read San Diego program: Brush, Book, Bed!
- A weekday morning routine can help your family get a stress-free start to the day. The AAP-CA3’s Healthy Development Services has some tips for getting back on track and returning to morning routines!
Practice Better Nutrition
Just like routines, having good nutritional habits are also important for healthy development. The AAP-CA3’s Healthy Development Services program has tips and recommendations for every developmental stage to keep your child on their best nutritional track.
Get Moving
Exercise is vital to your child’s health. Physical activity not only helps build and maintains healthy bones, muscles, and joints, it can also benefit your child’s overall mental health and wellbeing. This new year, make physical activity a regular part of your family’s routine. AAP-CA3 has 11 ways you can get started with moving more.