7 ways to raise children to be healthy, develop thinking and be happy

Below are ways suggested by Parents magazine to help children be healthy, develop their thinking and be happy with their future achievements.

1.Encourage special abilities

Every child has their own talents, strengths or interests. They may appear in a traditional school environment but there are many children who shine after the school bell rings. So you need to identify your child's interests and talents early to help them develop.

If your financial situation is good, you can let your child join music or martial arts classes. Otherwise, you don't need to worry. Encourage your child to play tag in the yard or dance in the living room. Just by being encouraged, your child has the opportunity to develop intellectually, physically and personally.

You should also find a hobby or two. Seeing your child try something new will inspire them to do the same.

2.Welcome and praise efforts

Research conducted by Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University (USA), shows that a person's thinking can influence behavior.

When it comes to parenting, Carol suggests parents praise their children for their hard work instead of labeling them with words like "smart" or "talented."

According to this expert, people with a default mindset of being talented are often reluctant to take on challenges because they believe their achievements come from innate ability. Meanwhile, people with a growth mindset are often willing to face challenges or difficult tasks because they believe they will learn new skills.

Above all, you need to remember that it is not how good the class is that first motivates a good student to succeed in learning, but their inner motivation to learn.

3. Respect different learning styles

Just because you need absolute silence while writing emails or doing paperwork doesn't mean your child needs a noise-free environment while doing homework.

So don’t impose on your child what you think works best. Pay attention to how your child learns best so you can tailor your learning to suit them. For example, if your child likes things that are visual, consider using flash cards when they’re trying to memorize their multiplication tables. If your child is good at associating, help them expand their vocabulary by connecting descriptive words to people like friends, family, or historical figures.

4. Read, read and read

It’s never too early to pick up a book and spend some time telling stories to your child. Reading to preschoolers encourages language development, reading skills and helps them succeed in school. Even if they’re too young to understand everything you’re saying, they’ll learn to pay attention to the rhythm of language, which will help them build their listening vocabulary.

In fact, reading has been shown to help children emotionally. A study conducted by the Institute of Education in the UK found that 5-year-olds who were read to daily by their parents were less likely to have behavioral problems in school than other children.

5. Have dinner together

Having a family meal together will help your child develop emotionally. During meals, you can discuss familiar topics with your child such as "How was your day?", "How did you study for the test?" These topics will teach your child about family values.

A study conducted by Columbia University (USA) shows that children who eat at least five meals a week with their families are more likely to get higher grades in school and are less likely to have disorganized eating.

If everyone in the house has different schedules and can't enjoy dinner together, find another meal like breakfast or an evening snack when the family can sit together and review the day's events.

6. Balance sleep time

Setting a bedtime and sticking to it every day can be very effective, especially turning off computers and TVs at least 30 minutes before bedtime. If your child has access to a cell phone, encourage them to use it before bed, as many children admit to using their phones after lights out without their parents knowing.

Thirteen years ago, researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that losing just one hour of sleep was enough to impair a child’s cognitive abilities the next day. Sixth-graders who lost sleep the night before a big test were more likely to perform poorly.

7. Give your child endless hugs

Hug your child several times a day to help them reduce stress and feel secure. Studies of abandoned children have shown that children who do not receive affection from their families can suffer from chronic stress, which can cause brain damage that can make it difficult to concentrate, reduce memory, and reduce learning.

In contrast, being gently hugged has the potential to alleviate emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms associated with stress. Not only does hugging your child help improve their ability to concentrate, it also benefits you.