As a parent, it’s normal to care about the well-being of our children. A child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being is interconnected and influenced by several complex factors. Here are some tips that you might find useful in this regard.

 

Physical exercise is one of the key factors for a child’s well-being. It provides several benefits and allows children to unwind after a stressful day. Moving around can also improve a child’s mood, so they should be encouraged to play outside after a long day at school.

 

Nowadays, children are often exposed to different electronic devices. As a parent, it might be difficult setting limits for them. However, clear and precise limits and rules should be established from an early age. For example, one suggestion is to limit their screen time to only two hours a day, whether it’s TV, computer, tablet, etc. Yet it’s important to note that video calls involving social interaction do not count towards their screen time limit. Visit the adolescents page for more information on social media.

 

Developing healthy relationships with others is fundamental for a child’s well-being. In fact, several benefits have been associated with children spending time with their friends and family. For example, every interaction a child has with those around them teaches them to share, compromise, listen, and problem-solve. Encouraging and nurturing healthy relationships from an early age will allow children to maintain relationships when they’re adults.

 

Quality time is also very important for promoting a child’s development. In fact, children need to spend quality time with their parents, whether it’s for a few minutes a day or one to two hours. It’s been said that the time shared between parents and children can be beneficial for a number of reasons. For example, spending quality time together can stimulate certain areas of the brain that contribute to a child’s creativity, motivation, and curiosity. These moments of affection can also contribute to a child’s sense of well-being and security, which will later influence their self-confidence and social skills. One way to ensure quality time is by playing a game that your child loves, such as a video game, board game, or an imaginary game. Quality time can also include any other moment together during the day, such as during a meal, in the car, etc.

 

Routine and structure are also important for a child’s well-being. These two elements help to create a healthy environment for a child to feel comfortable and safe. In addition, the child will know what to expect, thus giving them a measure of independence. Any transition will become just as easy if they know what to expect next. For younger children or those that have difficulty remembering, a visual schedule may help create a routine.

 

Consistency and coherence are very important for a child’s development. The two elements allow the child to properly integrate their expectations into an environment. At home, parents might want to develop a ‘moral code’ that every member of the family agrees upon (parents included!). That way, the rules and consequences are always enforced no matter which parent is present.

 

Sleep is yet another important element for the physical and mental well-being of children. It’s important and never too late to establish a good bedtime routine that can include a bath, reading a story, and some time to relax. Also, it’s important to ensure that a child disconnects from their devices at least one to two hours before bedtime for their minds to take the time to relax and unwind.

 

Nutrition is another important factor for a child’s well-being. Parents should know that the diet of a growing child should consist of nutrient-rich meals. The small stomach of a child allows for a small amount of food to be ingested. It’s therefore important to have small meals several times a day, such as three meals and two to three snacks.

 

Resilience is one of the most important qualities to develop in a child. In fact, the ability to learn from our mistakes, accept feedback, be persistent, and avoid giving up will help children to maintain their state of well-being. By working with children to develop their resilience, parents and educators can help them to develop the tools to overcome their problems and mistakes.

 

We must not forget that our behaviour and our way of thinking also have an impact on a child’s development and their state of well-being. First and foremost, we must take care of ourselves.

​