This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
Published on August 8, 2019, research suggests that children are more likely to adopt habits when they're young, making it easier to instil good habits from an early age.
As the saying goes, 'train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' This means that the sooner you introduce good habits into their lives, the less effort they will require to become a part of their daily routine.
As a parent, it's essential to exercise patience and guide your child into these healthy habits, making them a part of their daily routine.
Act Right ¶
Children are more visual and understand better by what they see, so it's crucial to teach by example. If you want to instil a reading culture, for instance, grab a book, switch off the TV and phones, and read. Monkey see, monkey do.
Don't expect your child to behave any differently from you, so it's essential to drop any bad habits you're struggling with before they pick them up.
Create Routines ¶
Human beings are creatures of habit, and there's no better way to hammer in a good habit than incorporating it into their daily life. Let them know that in this house, this is how we do things.
Good routines you can start early include washing hands after visiting the toilet, bedtime hours, picking up after themselves, and more.
Encourage Healthy Living ¶
Like many adults who struggle with eating right, kids are inclined to asking for sweets, chocolates, and fast food. However, you should focus more on healthy foods and make them more appealing and tasty.
Limit sitting activities that involve watching TV and playing video games for hours on end, and encourage your kids to be active. Point out the cons of being a couch potato and take them outside for a walk, a bike ride, or any other physical activity.
Introduce Them to Your Belief System ¶
Whatever your spiritual inclination may be, let your children in early. Chances are, your principles are faith-based, and the need for children to know and understand why they need to act and behave a certain way is crucial.
Charity Begins at Home ¶
How your child behaves will be a reflection of you. It all begins at home. Whether it's picking up after themselves, being courteous, sharing, or saving money, you have to teach them.
Don't expect teachers and other people to instil good habits. It begins with you, and the more and earlier you teach your child, the better they will tackle the outside world without being easily influenced.
Actions Have Consequences ¶
The truth is, we don't live in a perfect world. Help your child know that bad decisions will lead to certain results. If you do this, this will happen. If you don't create that awareness at an early age, you will pay for your actions.
Let them know that every action has a reaction, whether good or bad.
