Mealtimes and activities
Get moving
- Brainstorm with your child about what activities appeal to him. Most kids don’t mind being active, as long as it’s fun and engaging. Your 7-year-old will appreciate being asked for his opinion.
- Encourage free play and keep a variety of sports equipment around the house: hula hoops, jump ropes, bikes, softballs, and soccer balls can keep your child busy and active.
Eat smart
- Sit down for family meals whenever possible. Kids who regularly engage in family mealtime tend to eat more grains, fruits, and vegetables than those who do not. Eating dinner together gives you time to reconnect as a family after a full day.
- Don’t force your child to eat. Many parents grew up being told to clean their plate, which does not encourage awareness of hunger signs and proper eating habits. If your child is not hungry he should still share family time at the table.
- Avoid making alternate or later meals. Your child will not starve, and you are not a bad parent if he misses a meal.
Pull the plug
- Eating in front of the TV is a bad habit; attention goes to the television and away from the experience of eating. This often leads to overeating.
- Take control of the viewing habits in your household. Encourage your child to consider TV as an occasional entertainment source rather than an everyday habit. Make this the standard for everyone in your home.
Drink well
- Be aware that many beverages contain caffeine, including tea, hot chocolate, chocolate milk, and caffeinated sodas. Caffeine and kids do not mix well, another reason to stick with water and 1 percent or nonfat milk.
- Too much sugar and kids don’t mix either. If your child has flavored drinks, the label should show 5 or fewer calories per serving. It is best to avoid diet or artificially sweetened drinks too. They do not have calories, but nutritionists link sweet-tasting drinks to seeking sweetened foods and excess calorie intake.
Continue to Development milestones
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