Childhood is a critical time for developing habits that can last a lifetime. The things kids learn and do when they’re young can shape their health for years to come. That’s why it’s so important to help children build healthy habits early on. Here at Creme de la Creme, our professional childcare educators are on hand to help you build a healthy routine with your kids.

The Importance of Healthy Habits for Kids
Good habits don’t just help kids stay physically healthy — they also support mental and emotional well-being. By teaching kids healthy habits now, you can help prevent health problems when they grow up.
Unfortunately, many kids today aren’t as healthy as they could be. About one-third of children aged 2 to 19 are overweight or obese. Only about 27% of high school students get enough daily exercise. These numbers show why it’s crucial to focus on healthy habits for kids.
Crafting a Comprehensive Healthy Habits Routine
Good family habits examples include several important areas that you should take note of.
Nutrition
Eating well is key for growing bodies and minds and promoting healthy lifestyle habits. Kids need a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. It’s also important to watch portion sizes and limit sugary drinks and processed foods.
Physical Activity
If you’re focused on parenting healthy, you should know that kids should get at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. This can include running, sports, or just active play. A mix of different activities helps build strong muscles and bones.
Sleep Hygiene
Good sleep is crucial for a healthy daily routine. Kids need a regular sleep schedule and enough rest each night. A calm bedtime routine can help them wind down and sleep better.
Mental and Emotional Well-being
In a healthy daily routine, food isn’t all you need to think about. Kids also need to learn how to manage stress, think positively about themselves, and get along with others.
Personal Hygiene
Teaching kids to wash their hands, brush their teeth, and keep clean helps prevent illness and builds good habits for life. This is another area where you can rapidly see the importance of healthy habits.
Parental Involvement: Leading by Example and Setting Goals
Parents play a big role in helping kids develop healthy habits. Here are some healthy habits examples to show how you can help your children develop habits of their own:
- Show healthy behaviors yourself.
- Create a home environment that supports health.
- Set realistic goals for the family.
- Use positive reinforcement and rewards.
- Include kids in planning meals and activities.
- Make healthy choices fun for everyone.
It’s worth noting that most parents (91%) think schools should offer more physical education. However, less than 30% of students have physical education classes every day at school. This shows how important it is for parents to encourage activity at home.
Navigating Challenges and Maintaining Motivation
Building healthy habits for preschoolers and students isn’t always easy. Families often face challenges such as:
- Not having enough time
- Pressure from friends to make unhealthy choices
- Too much screen time
- Picky eating
- Trouble sticking to routines
To overcome these hurdles, try these healthy habits tips:
- Plan and prepare meals ahead of time.
- Set limits on screen time.
- Encourage friendships with kids who make healthy choices.
- Let children help cook meals.
- Create a daily schedule and stick to it.
- Use apps to track health goals and stay motivated.
Building Blocks for Lifelong Wellness
Healthy habits in childhood can lead to many benefits later in life, including:
- Lower risk of long-term health problems
- Better grades in school
- Improved mental health and self-esteem
- Stronger immune system
- Healthier relationships with food and exercise
To help kids maintain good health as they grow, try these healthy habit tips:
- Schedule regular check-ups with the doctor.
- Adjust healthy family habits as kids get older and their needs change.
- Teach kids to make their own healthy choices.
- Help children learn to think critically about health information.
- Encourage a growth mindset about healthy lifestyle for families.
Additional Resources and Tools
Many tools and resources can help build healthy habits for families. These include health apps to support family activities and educational material to promote healthy choices. Involving your kids in community activities, such as local classes or programs, can also help to reinforce healthy habits. For example, local cooking classes or a visit to a farmer’s market to purchase healthy foods can make an important contribution.
Start Your Child’s Health Journey Today at Crème de la Crème
Building healthy habits for kids is a journey that starts with small steps. At Crème de la Crème, we’re committed to supporting children’s health and well-being. Our programs include nutritious meals, regular physical activity, and education about healthy living. We invite you to visit one of our centers to see how we can help your child develop lifelong healthy habits.
A little boy is playing with a toy in the grass by Dmitry Bukhantsov licensed with Unsplash