Establish Healthy Routines

Parents play a big role in establishing school-related routines because children model what their parents do. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle, your child is likely to follow your example. Consistent daily routines provide security for children; they know what to expect and will feel less anxious.

Healthy eating:

• Provide well-balanced meals and limit caffeine (e.g., colas) and junk food
• Always make time for your child to have a good breakfast so that he or she will be alert and able to pay attention and learn

Exercise:

• Try to include some type of physical activity for an hour every day (walking, biking, sports activities, swimming, etc.)
• Encourage children to help you with daily chores that require physical activity (walking the dog, washing the car, etc.)

Sleep:

• Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines
• Remember that young children need about ten hours of sleep each night

  Television and Computer Use

• Limit the amount of time your child watches television and uses the computer each day.
• Monitor the types of programs your child watches on TV and the websites he or she visits.
• Remember that young children have difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy and may become stressed or scared by violence or scary themes on TV or computer games.

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