This post is sponsored by Nuffnang
I have recently been thinking about the importance of sensitivity when it comes to talking to children about making healthy lifestyle choices, especially talking about nutrition and exercise. The fact that very young children are becoming so very aware about body image worries me. Just this week I saw a Twitter tweet about a healthy six-year-old girl concerned about being fat. Is it just me that feels children are growing up too fast? That concerns about body image should honestly not be the concerns of childhood?
I believe that as parents it is good to want our children to grow up to be healthy and to make healthy choices but it is important that we find ways to share positive messages about the benefits of exercise and good nutrition without making it about weight and physical appearance. After all, increasing activity levels and eating well impacts our bodies positively in many ways – including being good for our mental state, energy levels and emotional sense of wellbeing.
For young children good health should equate to having good fun. It should be about family time – getting outdoors, being active, learning about where food comes from, cooking and eating together. After all, children learn by watching and listening to what we, the significant adults in their lives, say and do. We are the example they will follow and it is not so much about us telling them about being healthy but being an example for good health through healthy lifestyle choices.
About Tetra Pak Kids
If you are looking for ideas about ways to involve your children in fun physical activity or for healthy snack and lunch box ideas Tetra Pak have recently launched a new website, tetrapakkids.com.au. Featuring video posts by football hero Wendall Sailor and recipe suggestions by celebrity chef Darren Simpson, Tetra Pak Kids presents fun ways to get kids active and teach them about healthy eating.
When I was perusing the recipe section of the site Immy immediately spotted the Frozen Yoghurt Ice Blocks and asked to make some. Frozen berries are a big hit at our house at the moment and I love that these ice blocks are so simple to make. Simple enough for a three year old even!
1 – yoghurt, 2 – berries, 3 – honey, then give it a whiz in a blender or with a stick blender. Pour into ice block moulds and then pop them into the freezer. The hardest part is waiting for them to freeze 🙂
Needless to say, judging the rate that the first ice block was inhaled, they taste pretty good! I am always looking for new snack ideas, especially for morning and afternoon tea and I think these may become a regular fixture.
For readers based in Sydney, Tetra Pak Kids are running a series of free family friendly events in and around the metropolitan area during April. Wendell Sailor will present a circuit of child-friendly exercises that will help improve your child’s balance, strength and coordination, whilst keeping them fit and healthy. Darren Simpson will also be at the events sharing quick and simple healthy lunch box/snack ideas. Full details of each event can be found at the Tetra Pak Kids website.
How do you endeavour to be a healthy example for your children?
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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
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