Nutrition, physical activity, less screen time and good sleep are the pillars of a healthy lifestyle. Implementing each of these in the daily life of children can bring about a positive shift in their academic performance. As per a study published in “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health”, (Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(1), 243), a direct link has been established between lifestyle changes and an upward trend in cognitive control and academic performance in high school students.
Let us further elaborate this by looking at the ways in which a healthy lifestyle impacts the academic performance of kids:
- Brain Function: The brains of children who eat a balanced diet comprising of all essential nutrients are likely to perform to a higher capacity. Deficiencies in iron, zinc, vitamin B, C, A, calcium, folate, iodine and other vitamins or minerals lead to lower dopamine transmission in kids, impaired mental concentration and inhibited cognitive capabilities.
- Behavior: Children with a healthy lifestyle are willing to learn and have higher attendance at school. Malnutrition, high sugar consumption, junk food and other poor habits breed behavior problems in kids that affect their willingness to go to school and learn. For kids to exhibit their best behavior they should sleep on time, be physically active, and eat required amounts of protein, fat, complex carbohydrates and fiber.
- Physical Activity: Children who are physically active at school and at home have higher chances of performing well in academics as compared to their peers with sluggish lifestyles. Active students usually have better memory and concentration, lower dropout rates and less disciplinary issues, which result in better academic performance.
- Sleep: Consistent sound sleep is critical to a child’s academic performance. Sleep disturbances and inconsistencies affect student’s mood and well-being. Students thrive academically when their brains are well rested; they have better concentration, more retention/grasping power and higher energy levels throughout the day.
- Screen Time: Limited screen time is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle these days; its benefits are better sleep, lower BMI and less aggression. These benefits are directly linked to better academic performance and completion of homework. As per the latest recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), screen time of children aged 2 to 5 years should be limited to one hour per day and consistent limits should be set for older kids (6 and up).
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offer a variety of programs to help kids in maintain a healthy lifestyle. The programs organized by the clubs include ‘ALL STARS’, ‘Passport to Manhood’, ‘SMART Girls’, ‘SMART Moves’, etc. The activities help kids in understanding the importance of a healthy lifestyle and improving physical activity. To know more about impacts of healthy lifestyle on academic performance of kids, visit 703 N. 8th Street, Killeen, TX – 76541. You can also call at (254) 699 – 5808.
Learning is not limited to a classroom. A child should be allowed to bloom into his own persona by learning from each and every experience, both in and out of the classroom. It requires self-introspection, patience, and hard lessons to let your child learn from things and activities that interest him.
What Is Interest-Based Learning?
It is a mode of learning in which a child will learn new concepts and skills via activities that interest him. Doing so benefits a child in myriad ways some of which are:
- Improved attention span
- Better engagement
- Improvement in existing skills and abilities
- Development of fine and gross motor skills
- Social interaction
Types Of Interests
- Personal Interests: A child’s favorite things e.g. cars, dolls, clay, a toy character, etc.
- Situational Interests: A person, material or activity that attracts your child’s attention usually in the form of a new or unexpected situation
Here are some ways with which you can create learning opportunities for your children while working around their interests:
Books: “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”– Charles W. Eliot.
Introducing your child to books at an early age will do wonders in broadening his mental horizons and will also help you understand his interest in a better way. Books are a gateway to innumerable possibilities and opportunities for a child.
Play And Fun: A new concept in the realm of children is gamification. Game based-learning promotes deeper learning and non-cognitive skill development. Games are a thrilling and engaging medium for introducing children to new concepts and ideas.
Organization: A child who is overwhelmed with disorganized study material and other objects in his space will not deliver to the best of his abilities. Teach your child how to stay organized at an early age, as this will affect his willingness and motivation to learn.
Learning Styles: Explore the style of learning that is most suited for your child. Children can be visual, auditory, physical, logical, verbal, solitary or social learners. Keep tweaking learning styles until you find the one that your child enjoys the most.
Celebration: Celebrate every little achievement and success of your child irrespective of his performance. The key is to appreciate his efforts against his performance. Always shower kind words of encouragement at his triumphs, albeit small.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offer a variety of learning opportunities to children in the form of innovative clubs and programs. A wide range of activities is organized by the clubs to improve the learning capabilities of children. To know more about creating learning opportunities around your child's interests, visit 703 N. 8th Street, Killeen, TX – 76541. You can also call at (254) 699 – 5808.
The transition from childhood to adulthood becomes smooth if good decision-making skills are acquired at the right age. Teaching kids how to make decisions is a valuable life skill as it allows them to find solutions to various conflicts throughout their life. Also, good decision-making skills promote responsible behavior among kids. Well-planned problem-solving activities and encouraging logical thinking support the ability of decision-making.
Ways To Help Kids Develop Good Decision Making Skills
Involving children in decision-making using the correct techniques will enable them to build their skills.
- Expose Kids To The Real World: Expose children to different consequences by showing live examples. It will help kids to understand the outcomes of a decision and base their decisions on logical reasoning.
- Allow Kids To Make Mistakes: It is important to allow kids to explore their thoughts and if during the process they make reasonable mistakes, that should be allowed.
- Know The Kid’s Interests: Motivate the child and help him to find out his interests. Quote examples of successful people to help children understand that hard work and dedication are the keys to succeed in their field of interest. They will learn to make positive decisions instead of taking shortcuts.
- Teach Kids To Know Themselves: Teach children to distinguish their own strengths and weaknesses so that they are able to take better decisions in life. Kids should be able to realize that they will not necessarily excel in all the given opportunities. Learning to accept defeat or setbacks and the decisions to take thereafter is essential for children.
- Stay Involved With Kids: Children should be encouraged to be a part of social organizations that will teach them important life skills. It will expose them to positive peer pressure and also enable the parents to understand their children better.
- Talk To the Kids: Open communication is vital for kids. It will enable the parents to bond with their children. A parent can anticipate the child’s decisions and warn him accordingly.
- Praise The Kids: Do not just focus on what the child needs to work on. Praising them when they do great things, helps reinforce their desire to excel and take decisions that will provide better outcomes.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offer various programs to develop decision-making skills in kids. For more details on ways to develop decision-making skills in kids, visit 703 N. 8th Street, Killeen, TX - 76541 or call at (254) 699 – 5808.