The phases leading up to a child's earliest experiences as a provider of physical good health, emotional strength and lifelong learning builds a strong platform to establish a lifetime of positive educated choices. Health is not simply the absence of physical illness in a very young child; rather, by developing a healthy, secure, confident, curious and strong child, he/she is establishing habits of health that will positively influence a child. Whether your child attends a day care center, daycare, day care, child care, or day care schools, wellness begins at home and grows with consistent guidance and support.

Here are practical, research-backed wellness tips every parent of young children can follow to encourage strong development from the very beginning.

1. Establish Consistent Daily Routines

Children need to have predictable daily routines in order to develop emotionally, improve sleeping habits, and decrease anxiety. Daily routines of how, what, and when to get up, eat, play, learn, and go to bed will provide children with emotional security, stability and a sense of control.

In addition, children will be able to have an easier transition from their home environment to their child care environment and other social environments; therefore they will be more comfortable and confident in those environments.

2. Promote Healthy Nutrition From The Very Beginning

Nutrition is the fuel for a child's growing body and brain; as such, nutrition should be provided by a balanced diet consisting of:

•  Fresh fruits and vegetables,

•  Whole grains,

•  Lean proteins,

•  Dairy or dairy alternatives,

•  Plenty of water throughout the day

By limiting the amount of processed foods and sugary snack foods children consume, children can maintain energy and concentration levels throughout the entire day. Therefore, the consistency of a child's nutrition habits both at home and while in daycare reinforces the child's ability to develop and consume healthy choices throughout the entire day.

3. Promoting Daily Activity Every Day

To grow up strong and to have strong coordination and motor skills, young children must engage in physical movement every day. Through free play, outdoor activities, climbing and dancing, simple sports, etc., young children are able to release energy and promote the physical health of their bodies.

Young children who are physically active will likely sleep more soundly than children who are not, and will likely have a stronger immune system. Whether the child is at home with family or at a structured childcare setting, daily activities must be a priority.

4. Support the Emotional and Mental Health of Children

Emotional wellness is just as important as one's physical health. It is essential for children to feel safe when discussing their feelings without fear of judgment or retribution. There are several ways to help nurture the emotional wellness of children, including; but not limited to

•  Paying close attention to what your child is telling you

•  Helping children identify feelings and emotions ("It seems like you are feeling sad" or "You appear to be excited")

•  Working with your child to develop relaxation techniques (i.e., deep breathing, counting to ten)

•  Encouraging children to talk about what is on their minds]

Building strong emotional support systems will build confidence in children, develop empathy towards others, and create healthy relationships in childcare and educational settings.

5. Establish Consistent Sleep Patterns

Sleep is critical to the development of growth, attention, memory and the ability to regulate emotions. Preschool-aged children generally require 10–13 hours of sleep each night.

The following are some popular methods of improving your sleep:

•  Establishing a regular bedtime

•  Setting aside time at the end of the day when no screens (e.g., mobile phones, television, computers, tablets, etc.) are used.

•  Spending time reading quietly or doing something calming right before bedtime.

•  Ensuring that you have a comfortable and quiet place to sleep.

Children who sleep well are typically more focused on learning, emotionally balanced, and better prepared to learn during their daycare (or day care center) hours.

6. Limit Screen Time and Promote Real World Play

Excessive screen time has been shown to negatively impact children's ability to pay attention to their environment, quality of their sleep, and their social/emotional development. Establish a clear limit for the amount of time children can spend using electronic devices and encourage children to engage in hands-on, creative activities that promote their cognitive development:

•  Puzzles and building blocks

•  Drawing and creating works of art

•  Storytelling and pretending

•  Exploring nature (walking, riding bike, etc.)

The development of a child's ability to imagine, solve problems, and play with peers all stem from opportunities provided by engaging in real-world play activities. These opportunities provide reinforcement for those same skills in high-quality day care/child care centers.

7. Teach Social Skills Through Everyday Experiences

Wellness is not just about being healthy; it also includes the ability to positively interact with others. Teach young children basic social behaviours, such as sharing, taking turns, expressing appreciation/gratitude, and resolving disagreements in a calm manner.

Children who have opportunities to practice these types of social behaviours at an early age will feel comfortable in groups and develop better relationships with peers in their daycare/child care environments.

8. Routine Healthcare Visits/Preventive Care

Regular checkups with a healthcare provider can uncover developmental problems early on and ensure that appropriate vaccines, vision and hearing tests, and dental care are being received. Prevention of health issues is an essential part of continued health and wellness.

Combining healthcare with established home-life routines and structured childcare supports a complete and healthy start to childhood.

9. Be A Good Example Of Wellness

Most of what children learn comes from adult influence, so when you are modelling a healthy lifestyle, children will likely replicate the way you do things.

By using the example of wellness in everyday life, you will help children build confidence in using these same habits when they are at their childcare center or learning environment.

10. Create a Warm, Secure, and Safe Learning Environment

Emotional security and encouragement lead to exploration, which is supportive of growth. Children need encouragement, patience, and support to thrive, regardless of whether it is at home or in a professional childcare center.

Supportive environments create self-esteem, reduce stress and build a sense of belonging.

Final Summary

Healthy and happy children will only develop from the everyday parenting choices you make – what they eat, how well they sleep, what kind of emotional support you offer, and how much opportunity you give them for physical activity. When the home and the learning environment work together to provide a child with a strong foundation for well-being throughout their life, it gives them an excellent opportunity to develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and support systems that they will need to succeed as an adult. High-quality education, caring adults as caregivers, and a balanced daily schedule create a strong foundation for all children in their early years, particularly when they are in a supportive early education program in North York.

About St. George Mini School

St. George's Mini School is an early learning center that has established a reputation as a high-quality provider of child care and Day Care Center in North York for young children. Our focus is providing children with a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that supports every aspect of a child's physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. We provide children with age-appropriate learning through a professional team of educators and a strong partnership with families, preparing them to be confident, capable young people.