Raising healthy, happy children is one of the most important jobs as a parent or foster carer. Children’s early years play a vital role in their long-term physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Whether you’re caring for a newborn, toddler or school-aged child, there are some key things you can do to give them the best start in life. This article outlines 10 top tips to support you in raising a healthy child.
1. Provide a nurturing, stable environment
All children need a home environment that is safe, loving and consistent. For children you foster with an agency like fosterplus.co.uk, who may have experienced trauma or instability, it is critical to create routines, structure and emotional security. Be patient, responsive and affectionate. Praise good behaviour and establish fair, age-appropriate rules. Quality time together strengthens attachments. Avoid harsh punishments. With consistency and care, you can help foster children feel protected and valued. A stable environment supports healthy development.
2. Encourage physical activity
Promoting an active lifestyle from an early age is one of the best gifts you can give a child. Children should get at least 60 minutes exercise daily, including energetic play like running, climbing, dancing or active games. Walking, biking, swimming and sports are great too. Join them in activities they enjoy, and be a role model by staying active yourself. Limit sedentary time indoors. Foster children may especially benefit from the mood boost and stress relief of exercise. An active child is healthier in body and mind. Exercise relieves stress and develops coordination.
3. Fuel their bodies with nutritious foods
Good nutrition provides energy for growth and development. Serve a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and dairy. Avoid excess sugar and salt. Minimise processed foods, takeaways and junk foods. Foster children may arrive with poor eating habits, so role model healthy choices. Involve children in preparing meals. Discuss good foods versus “sometimes” foods without judgement. Start smart habits that will last a lifetime. Consult your GP if you are concerned about nutritional deficiencies. Healthy eating prevents illness and obesity.
4. Prioritise sleep
Children need 10-13 hours of quality sleep per night. Insufficient sleep can impact behaviour, focus, immunity and weight. Maintain a calming bedtime routine. Avoid screens before bed, which can disrupt sleep. Make their bedroom dark, cool and quiet. Be firm and consistent with bedtimes, even when they protest! Letting kids stay up late is counterproductive – they still need the same amount of sleep. Support these healthy sleep habits for your child’s overall wellbeing. Good sleep improves concentration and learning.
5. Keep up with medical check-ups
Regular well-child visits allow your GP or health visitor to track growth and development. Foster children should see a doctor soon after placement for a full exam. Attend all recommended vaccinations and screenings. Dental visits are also important. Report any concerns about hearing, vision, speech delays, injuries or illness promptly. Keep a detailed medical history for foster children. Staying on top of health needs keeps children happy and thriving. Preventative care detects issues early.
6. Foster social and emotional skills
From a young age, children need to learn how to communicate, cooperate, solve problems and manage emotions. Spend unhurried time talking with your child. Read books exploring feelings. Praise efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully. Model apologising after mistakes. Help them label emotions. Strong social-emotional skills boost confidence and relationships. Additional support may benefit foster children who are dealing with trauma. Enrolling in playgroups or preschool can also build social skills. Positive social skills lead to friendship.
7. Encourage learning and curiosity
Young children have a natural curiosity about the world. Feed their interest by exploring nature, reading, doing crafts, and creating science experiments together. Avoid screen time for under 2s, and limit it to 1 hour daily for ages 3-5. Instead, engage their minds with games, puzzles, educational toys and conversations. Visit museums, parks and child-friendly events for hands-on learning. Nurture their skills through play, questions and engagement. The mind needs exercise just like the body! Learning new things builds neural connections.
8. Prioritise bonding and attachment
Secure attachment results from consistent nurturing care. Respond warmly to your child’s needs. Offer hugs, praise and reassurance. Spend one-on-one time focused completely on them. Infants need holding, eye contact, soothing voices and facial expressions. Toddlers need validation, support with big emotions, and gentle discipline. Foster children need extra patience as they learn to trust. Investing in attachment ensures your child feels safe, seen, and valued. Bonding promotes a lifelong parent-child connection.
9. Model healthy habits yourself
Children look to parents and carers to learn habits around eating, activity, sleep and hygiene. Practise what you preach. Eat veggies, limit your own screen time, stay active and get organised for school/work. Maintain your own medical check-ups and dental visits. Manage stress through healthy outlets like exercise, hobbies or meditation, not smoking or alcohol. Your actions speak louder than words. Foster children benefit immensely from stability and positive routines. Lead by example in all areas of health.
10. Offer unconditional love
Above all else, let your child know they are loved for who they are. Show your love through affection, time, listening and support. Foster children may act out due to past trauma – be the stable, loving presence they need. Praise effort over outcomes. Redirect challenging behaviours, not the child themselves. Your unwavering love provides security and boosts their self-worth. With love, patience and care, you can make an immense difference in a child’s life. Love builds self-esteem and resilience.
Raising happy, healthy children requires attentive care across physical, mental and emotional domains. Establish routines, nurture attachment, encourage active lifestyles, supervise medical care and focus on overall wellbeing. Children – especially those in foster care – thrive when caregivers provide stability, unconditional love and gentle guidance. With an intention to build lifelong health, you can give your child their best start in life. What matters most is the care, time and connection you provide. Your dedication will shape their future.
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