It’s natural for parents to desire the best for their kids. Always. However, we are aware of our own imperfections. We make mistakes, we try and fail sometimes, and we try again.
Among the many responsibilities we have as parents is making sure our children are progressing normally in their growth and maturation. Every month during their first year, we ensure they are meeting their developmental goals.
The following are some of the most important aspects throughout a child’s formative years:
5 parenting mistakes that can affect your child’s growth
1. Disrupted sleep patterns
Growing up, we were often reminded, “If you don’t sleep, you won’t get tall.” And it turns out that our parents were accurate about the connection between getting enough sleep and maturing physically all along. A child’s physical growth and development is greatly aided by regular, peaceful sleep.
The body generates growth hormones, heals tissues, and consolidates memories all while you sleep soundly.
Our babies require a lot of rest. It is recommended that young children and babies get between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each night and, depending on their age, take a nap during the day as well.
When our children don’t get enough sleep, it truly appears that they become hyperactive. Some parents might think that it’s okay because they are still active. That they don’t lack sleep yet. But our kid’s adrenaline is pumping. Thus, it is required upon us as parents to say “That’s a lot of action. I really need my kid to go to sleep.” After that, we create a routine for them.
The quality of their sleep depends on how well they currently sleep, both during the day and at night. If kids don’t get enough sleep, they won’t get enough sleep in the future. The common belief is that telling a child “no naps today” or “stay up late tonight” won’t make their sleep any longer. It becomes more difficult to fall asleep the later it is. This emphasizes the significance of an early bedtime and age-appropriate naps for children.
2. You can’t go outside
Cambridge Montessori Pre-school education specialist and managing director, Pankaj Kumar Singh, told The Times of India, “Establishing a consistent outdoor play schedule and creating a comfortable growth environment that significantly impacts a child’s physical health, cognitive abilities, and overall behavior.”
Raising Children cites many advantages of physical play for children such as:
- helps kids keep the weight down
- improves their immune systems
- lowers their risk of developing conditions like hypertension, diabetes type 2, anxiety, and depression
- increases their coordination, balance, posture, and flexibility
Activities in the great outdoors need not involve tents and mountain trails. It may be as easy as going outside and taking a look at the sky or the plants and trees around you.
3. Not maintaining a healthy diet
Even though it can be difficult to influence a child’s eating habits, it is our responsibility as parents to make sure they have access to a nutritious diet.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a nutritious diet during childhood and adolescence is crucial for healthy development and the prevention of many health problems later in life.
Adequate nutrition provides vital vitamins, minerals, and proteins that support healthy growth, strengthen bones, and promote optimal organ function. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 recommend that people aged 2 years or older follow a healthy eating pattern that includes the following:
- A variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Whole grains.
- Fat-free and low-fat dairy products.
- A variety of protein foods.
- Oils.
Instilling healthy eating habits in children can be challenging, but don’t completely restrict your kids from having their favorite treats—however, make sure to still feed them healthy food more often.
4. Disrupted exercise routines
Also according to Pankaj Kumar Singh: “Doing exercises designed for your age group is a great way to boost your strength, flexibility, and all-around health and wellness. Physical activity has other benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, decreased risk of obesity, and the release of feel-good endorphins.”
The World Health Organization suggests that even just 20 minutes of exercise three times a week significantly improved children’s health. Moreover, sports like basketball, boxing, dance, and soccer, or just moving around will do the trick. Outside games like doing an obstacle course can complement inside activities like bunny hops and other dances.
5. Using too much screen time
Excessive screen time can halt the child’s development. Children can safely watch within acceptable and supervised limits, but too much of anything is bad for them.
Most parents are concerned about their children’s increased screen time. Instead of sitting about all day, encouraging children to participate in physical pursuits builds a passion for motion and lays the groundwork for a lifetime of health and fitness.