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Helping Your Child Be Healthy and Fit - Games for&with children
Brushhhh!
Playing and singing with children can help make tooth brushing an enjoyable experience.
What you'll need
Toothbrush (child sized in a favorite color or with a favorite cartoon character on it)
Toothpaste (you might try toothpastes especially made for children)
Wash cloth for young children
Children's dental floss.
What to do
- When it is time for your children to brush their teeth, sing a silly song together about tooth
brushing:
This is the way we brush our teeth,
Brush our teeth,
Brush our teeth,
This is the way we brush our teeth,
So early in the morning!
- Make sound effects--"ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM .... or VROOM, VROOM, VROOM" when you
watch them brush.
- Have your children name their teeth and use their names: "Now don't forget Cutters, Doggies, and
Chompers!" (Children often find it interesting that dentists call some teeth "canines.")
Before your baby even has teeth, clean the gums with a wet cloth after feeding. When teeth start to come in, brush with a soft toothbrush and water. At about age 3, teach your child to brush as follows: start at the gum and gently massage under the gum, then work the toothbrush around the teeth in a gentle, circular motion. Floss teeth daily when all the baby teeth are in.
To Share or Not To Share?
Telling the difference between personal items that should not be shared and those things that are to be
shared can be a hard distinction for children to make.What you'll need
Newspapers or magazines
Large pieces of paper
Glue
Red pen or marker
ScissorsWhat to do
- Have your child collect pictures of a toothbrush, cup, comb, hairbrush, and spoon or fork from
newspapers or magazines.
- Ask your child to paste the pictures on a large piece of paper.
- With a red felt tip marker or pen, have your child put an X or \ through each picture.
- Title the poster, "Things I Do Not Share".
- Have your child collect pictures of objects that he or she does share. These can be pictures of
toys, pets, and books.
- Use these pictures to make a poster with the title "Things I Share".
Remind your children that disease is spread by the hands and through the mouth, so they shouldn't
share toothbrushes, cups, spoons, or forks. head lice are spread by combs and brushes. Working with
your child to make the posters will help you explain these points, while emphasizing that there are many things we can share.
I Do It For Me
How can I take care of myself? Here is an activity that will take advantage of your child's growing
independence while emphasizing healthful responsibility.
What you'll need
Paper
Marker or crayon
What to do
- With your child, make a chart that lists healthful responsibilities:
I take a bath.
I wear clean clothes.
I brush my teeth at least twice each day. I wash my hair.
I wash my hands before eating.
I wash my hands after going to the bathroom. I use my own brush or comb and don't let anyone else
use it.
I get plenty of sleep.
The list can include other items that you and your child think should be on the list.
- Make a box for each day of the week after each responsibility.
- Have your child check off the things done each day.
- At the end of the week, write WOW over the responsibilities or place a sticker over those
completed during the week.
It is important that children learn to take responsibility for the care of their bodies. Having a chart helps
them develop self-reliance and helps to make life calmer for both of you.
Hold that Tiger!
Children love animals and they love to imitate. Combine these two interests to inspire exercise.
What you'll need
Magazines or newspapers
Cardboard or paper
Paste or glue
Scissors
An open space in which to move
What to do
- Collect pictures of different animals.
- Paste each picture on a different piece of cardboard.
- Place the cards face down on a table and mix them up.
- Have your child select a card and turn the card over to reveal the animal picture on the other
side.
- Have your child imitate the movements of the animal on the card. For example:
rabbit hop
horse gallop
turtle crawl
elephant slow
lumbering walk, clasp hands together and swing arms side to side like a trunk.
frog leap
tiger fluid, smooth, sliding steps
These movements will help your child develop body awareness, space awareness, and coordination.
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