Encouraging Wholesome Routines: A Handbook for Nigerian Guardians

Creating and reinforcing healthy habits for children in Nigeria is a crucial step towards ensuring their future well-being. Here's a comprehensive guide for Nigerian parents, outlining effective strategies to establish healthy habits in their children.

**1. Education is Key**

Engage children in discussions about health, emphasizing the importance of nutrition, hygiene, and physical activity. This can be done through storytelling or involving them in meal planning and preparation. Support schools in incorporating health education into their curriculum to reinforce healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices.

**2. Nutritious Nigerian Cuisine**

Use Nigerian cuisine to create healthy meals by reducing salt, oil, and seasoning cubes. Introduce iron-rich and soft foods like mashed sweet potatoes and avocado during early feeding stages. Encourage children to participate in meal preparation and make mealtime a bonding experience.

**3. Promote Active Lifestyles**

Engage children in regular outdoor activities, such as soccer or tag, to promote physical fitness and fun. Lead by example by maintaining an active lifestyle yourself and encouraging family activities that involve movement.

**4. Behavioural Therapy Techniques**

Reward children for adopting healthy habits, such as praising them for choosing a healthy snack or completing a physical activity. Use tokens or stars to track and reward healthy behaviors over time.

**5. Creating an Optimal Environment**

Create a home environment that supports healthy habits by limiting screen time and ensuring easy access to healthy food options and physical activity equipment. Engage with schools and community centers to advocate for policies that support healthy lifestyles.

By implementing these strategies, Nigerian parents can help their children develop strong, healthy habits that benefit them throughout their lives. A lifetime of good health can be achieved by creating habits that contribute to maintaining a person's physical and mental well-being, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, and improving cognitive development.

Remember, children learn by imitating their parents, so it's important to model good habits for them. Be patient and consistent, and make habit-building activities enjoyable for children to help them learn and maintain good habits.

[1] Source: World Health Organization (2014). Health Promoting Schools: A Resource Book for School Health Policy Makers. Geneva: World Health Organization. [2] Source: Oguntade, A. O., & Oyewumi, O. A. (2015). Dietary practices and childhood overweight and obesity in Nigeria: A review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 28(5), 577-588. [3] Source: Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (2017). Guidelines for Complementary Feeding of the Nigerian Child. Lagos: Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. [4] Source: Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. In V. G. Patterson (Ed.), Aggression: Causes, mechanisms, and control (pp. 22-61). New York: Wiley.

Maintain open conversations about emotional development, addressing feelings and teaching empathetic behavior. This can help children understand and manage their emotions effectively.
Implement rules about safety during playtime, ensuring children have appropriate toys and supervision to minimize risk of injury.
Encourage kids to engage in creative play, such as drawing or building with blocks, to foster their cognitive development.
Advocate for science education in schools to empower children with the knowledge required for making informed health and wellness decisions.
Provide opportunities for kids to learn healthy mental health habits, such as deep breathing exercises and positive self-talk, to promote resilience and emotional intelligence.
Limit screen time to promote restful sleep, encourage reading or other quiet activities before bedtime, and establish a consistent sleep schedule for optimal emotional and physical development.
Collaborate with schools and community organizations to create programs or initiatives focused on improving health and wellness in children through education, nutrition, and physical activity.
Champion for family-friendly policies that offer flexible work hours or on-site child care, allowing parents to spend more time with their children and model healthy habits.
Model healthy habits by maintaining a balanced diet, prioritizing regular exercise, and practicing stress management techniques, demonstrating the importance of health and self-care to children.
Foster a supportive family environment by encouraging open communication, showing affection, and addressing conflicts in a constructive manner to promote positive behavior and self-esteem in children.