The preschool years are an important time for parents to lay the foundation for all healthy habits. From nutrition to brushing teeth, these years can set the stage for a lifetime. And although it may seem too early to worry about drug use, you can work with your preschooler so that he or she will grow up knowing how to make healthy choices. As one of the most powerful tools parents can use to connect with their children, conversations with your children can help guide them on the right path.
It is important to talk to your child about the benefits of healthy living. Being an advocate for this lifestyle can have a positive impact on your child. Explain the importance of taking good care of our bodies by eating right, exercising and getting a good night’s sleep. Discuss the benefits of healthy habits, such as how good you feel and how you can run, jump, play and work for many hours.
Here are example conversations you can have with your two to four year old child:
Scenario: Making vitamins part of your child’s daily routine
What to say: “These vitamins help your body grow and stay healthy. This is why you need to take the vitamins every day, so one day you will grow up big and strong like mommy and daddy. It’s important to only take what I give you. Too many vitamins will hurt you and make you sick.”
Scenario: Children’s curiosity with medicine bottles
What to say: “It’s important to only take medicine that has your name on the bottle or package. This is because your doctor has chosen it especially for you. If you take medicine that belongs to someone else, it could be dangerous and make you sick.”
Scenario: Your child sees an adult smoking and is confused because you advocated against smoking.
What to say: “Grownups make their own decisions, but sometimes those decisions aren’t always the best for their bodies. When someone starts smoking, their body sometimes starts feeling like it has to have cigarettes – even though smoking is not healthy. That makes it difficult for them to quit.”
In addition to having these types of conversations – you can also strive for living a healthy lifestyle in other ways, too. Turn chores like brushing teeth, putting away toys, wiping up spills and caring for pets into fun experiences. Your child will enjoy having personal responsibility for family chores. When you see your child making good choices, celebrate it! Give your child the opportunity to have a say in decisions. It will build his or her confidence. Tell your child how proud you are when he or she helps you with things. It’s always a good time to give your child a boost of self-esteem.
