STAYING HEALTHY © Laser Learning Ltd 2014

How does a child stay healthy? For children to stay healthy, they need: adequate sleep and rest good quality food in sensible portions a good level of personal hygiene someone to love them opportunities for exercise every day to be able to express themselves and play someone to keep them safe

Food Breakfast is an essential part of any child’s diet. It enables them to concentrate, keeps their mood in balance and provides the energy to get the day started. Children have small stomachs and use a lot of energy every day. They must be fed little and often.

Meal recommendations Lunch and dinner should be a balanced meal of protein, vegetables and carbohydrate. Babies and young children also need fats in their diet. They should not have added sugar, salt or large quantities of processed foods. Fresh and natural is always best.

Nutrition Snacks should be healthy and light, preferably vegetable- or fruit-based or maybe an oatcake and cheese. Ensure children get enough vitamin D by going outside everyday and by taking a supplement if recommended by their GP.

Movement Babies and young children need to be moving for most of the day. Give lots of opportunities for free movement, and lying on the floor, front and back. Good activity is running, walking, climbing, stretching, pushing, pulling. Little ones find sitting still almost impossible so try to minimise the need for this request.

Time wasted In too many childcare settings children spend too much time waiting. Waiting for the toilet Waiting for dinner Waiting to wash hands Waiting to go outside Plan your day to avoid waiting wherever possible.

Rest, sleep and cuddles Provide opportunities in the day for little ones to rest or sleep. Provide comfortable areas for snuggling up with a teddy, a book, a friend or a staff member. Young children need physical contact. They need cuddles and 1:1 time, but on their terms.

Positive relationships Give children personal space, their own tray and coat peg with their name or photo. They need to become attached to their key worker and feel safe and secure. Children need to feel valued and to belong.

Health and development Babies need their health and development monitored. Are they developing across all 7 areas of learning? Are you aware of any food intolerances or allergies? Are they growing?

Drinks Children need to be well hydrated: approximately 75% of their body is water. For babies, breast or formula milk and water is all they need. Young children should have free access to water all day. As they get older you can introduce diluted juice drinks as extra fluid but water should be the main bulk of fluid intake.

Healthy and happy A healthy child is a happy child A happy child is content, and will thrive and develop A happy child gives pleasure to others You don’t create a happy or healthy child by meeting their every demand, but by providing for their every need.