Keep your home happy by making your kids healthy

Happy and healthy kids make happy and healthy homes! Get your kids learning even
more about staying healthy with Makulay ang Buhay on GMA Tuesdays at 9:30 AM
with replays on Saturdays at 9:45 AM on GMA.

You can also catch all episodes on the GMA Playground YouTube Channel:

Every parent wants the best for their children. That’s why whenever a parent sees their kids unhappy or unhealthy, the whole home can be affected. As families continue to spend their time together in lockdown, it is the best opportunity for parents to focus on the health of their children and form healthy habits with them.

Get moving together

Exercise is always touted as an essential part of staying healthy. Most kids today are glued to their gadgets and hardly get enough exercise during lockdown. It’s time to get them moving!

You can get the kids involved in simple household chores like sweeping the floors, straightening up living areas, or helping you move around the furniture when you are tidying up. This may take some convincing but making a game of it can spark more enthusiasm from them. Give them a reward when they achieve several chores or activities like an extra hour of screen time or their favorite meal the next day.

It is also important to set an example for your kids by engaging in a simple exercise plan they can follow or be part of. Make it fun, like a follow the leader type game, dancing along to their favorite songs, or even playing tag. This way, they don’t see exercise as a chore and find fun in movement. If possible, do this in your garden or by the windows where you get some sunshine for an important dose of vitamin D.

Help kids feel good about themselves

Aside from staying active and eating healthy, kids need to feel loved and cared for. Make it a point to bond with them, especially with the present stay at home setup most have where your children won’t have interaction with other kids. Play together, learn together, and be present in their lives. Many of us may be busy yet it is still important to set aside time to be with our kids where our full attention is turned only towards them and their needs.

Most kids have inquisitive minds and may be curious about the changes you have made in your lives because of the pandemic. Answer their questions thoroughly and explain to them the lifestyle changes that you are going through so they understand why they have to stay home, study online, or not see their friends in person. Teach them the importance of cleanliness and how staying healthy is of the utmost importance.

Always remember that their wellbeing is not only the measure of their height or their book smarts but also in their happiness and perception of themselves, which they may discover through love and bonding with the family. This is why it is good to have teaching moments in every part of the house, like showing them how important it is to prepare healthy meals while in the kitchen. Show them the ingredients you use and how each contributes to a nutritious meal.

Have simple bonding activities like learning origami together, which can improve your kids’ concentration and visualization skills. Here’s one you can enjoy during your afternoon downtime before dinner!

Origami Activity Sheet:

You can download the activity sheet here

When they’re helping with the kitchen chores for the next meal, show them the real-life fish in your Sinigang na Bangus.

Make snacking healthy

Food and health are always connected. A proper diet is important so our children get all the vitamins and minerals they need to grow strong and for their bodies to develop properly. Aside from integrating a variety of meat, vegetables, and fruits into their meals, it is important also to remember that kids love to snack and merienda time is a tradition for many, and this is where it is easy to falter.

Many resort to unhealthy sweets and chips because those are the snacks that are within reach and convenient. Make it easy for your kids to reach for healthy snacks like bananas or carrot sticks, both of which are naturally sweet yet healthier than your packaged treats or fried chips.

Prepare pre-cut veggies with interesting dips or dressings in small containers in the fridge. Keep fresh fruit on the kitchen table ready to eat. When you make healthy food accessible and convenient as packaged snacks, then you can make it easy for them to reach for a healthy alternative.

When kids know that good food contributes greatly to health, it is easier to teach them to eat healthier. Show your kids the different ingredients that you use in their favorite sopas and how each can contribute to proper nutrition!

Word Search Activity Sheet:

You can download the activity sheet here

Word Search Answer Key:

You can download the answer key here

Sopas, so fast!
The star of this dish is the carrot! Carrots are full of beta-carotene that become your body’s source of vitamin A that helps maintain good eyesight.

With more time together, you can focus on your children’s health and well being while making it fun! Help them learn more about health and nutrition with Makulay ang Buhay on GMA, Tuesdays at 9:30 AM with replays on Saturdays at 9:45 AM.