Coping for Kids: Encouraging Self-Care Amongst Children
by Anya Willis
©JustViolin.org
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Self-care isn’t just for adults, it’s a crucial ingredient in a healthy kid’s life too. If you’re a parent looking to refresh and prepare your children for the challenges ahead, here are some useful tips to get started.
Get Moving
There’s little else more important for growing kids than exercise. As well as helping to reduce obesity and cholesterol, exercise in early life also improves cognitive faculties and sets the tone for healthy, active routines thereafter. Experts suggest that children should be partaking in physical activities for a minimum of 1 hour per day (especially as many are learning from home and have pent-up energy) - this number may be even higher if they are under the age of 5. If you’re unsure of where to start, talk with your child to ascertain the sports or games that they find most exciting - it’s important that they see the link between physical exertion and enjoyment, as this will increase the likeliness they’ll want to partake regularly.
The form of exercise is also important, as each sport provides a different benefit. Aerobic activities such as basketball, cycling, tennis, or running are all great for strengthening the heart, improving breathing, and good circulation. You could also suggest dance lessons as these are shown to enhance emotional development and social skills in addition to physical capabilities. In concurrence with exercise, try to limit sedentary time spent in one place, on social media, watching TV, or playing video games. These are all considered contributory factors in childhood obesity and aggressive behaviors by experts.
The form of exercise is also important, as each sport provides a different benefit. Aerobic activities such as basketball, cycling, tennis, or running are all great for strengthening the heart, improving breathing, and good circulation. You could also suggest dance lessons as these are shown to enhance emotional development and social skills in addition to physical capabilities. In concurrence with exercise, try to limit sedentary time spent in one place, on social media, watching TV, or playing video games. These are all considered contributory factors in childhood obesity and aggressive behaviors by experts.
Get Creative
Just like with adults, a child’s wellbeing can drastically improve through involvement in the creative arts. It’s important, however, not to force participation - too much pressure can create negative associations and result in a reverse outcome. Instead, if you want to see how your child reacts to creative pursuits, give them the basic tools to experiment, sit back and watch. It’s often quickly evident what interests them most, then you can continue to encourage further involvement.
The two most readily available branches of the arts are music (learning an instrument, singing, etc.) and illustration (painting, drawing, crayons, etc). Learning to play an instrument provides all kinds of self-care benefits, such as improved self-esteem, teamwork, and enhanced coordination but, most importantly, they will have the means to express themselves and, in music, many find a place of solace for the rest of their lives. Similarly, the visual arts provide a child with a space of their own, where they are in control and can openly express how they feel without the risk of confrontation. For the small price of an instrument or some art tools, you can unlock all of these fantastic self-care avenues.
The two most readily available branches of the arts are music (learning an instrument, singing, etc.) and illustration (painting, drawing, crayons, etc). Learning to play an instrument provides all kinds of self-care benefits, such as improved self-esteem, teamwork, and enhanced coordination but, most importantly, they will have the means to express themselves and, in music, many find a place of solace for the rest of their lives. Similarly, the visual arts provide a child with a space of their own, where they are in control and can openly express how they feel without the risk of confrontation. For the small price of an instrument or some art tools, you can unlock all of these fantastic self-care avenues.
Get Calm
Many self-care techniques occur in the subconscious. Mimicry is a staple of child development and, in the words of the experts, ‘what you do is more important than what you say.’ By practicing calmness and open gratitude, your child will often learn positive techniques just by watching you. Adversely, stress or burnout from work can trickle down. It’s important to manage your own daily stressors by delegating tasks and taking time to reflect at the end of a workday.
Sometimes, it’s also worth introducing your child to common self-care practices such as meditation and controlled breathing. Especially in children with anger issues, anxiety or ADHD, deep breathing can help reduce tension and improve focus. Just remember to guide them through the steps and ensure they’re comfortable using these methods on their own.
It’s never too early to learn self-care and, although we haven’t always been so aware of it in the past, the new generation of kids can learn from our mistakes and strive to be more patient, practical, and mindful.
Sometimes, it’s also worth introducing your child to common self-care practices such as meditation and controlled breathing. Especially in children with anger issues, anxiety or ADHD, deep breathing can help reduce tension and improve focus. Just remember to guide them through the steps and ensure they’re comfortable using these methods on their own.
It’s never too early to learn self-care and, although we haven’t always been so aware of it in the past, the new generation of kids can learn from our mistakes and strive to be more patient, practical, and mindful.