Healthy Lifestyle For Special Children

A child with special needs benefits from healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity and healthy eating boosts their growth and aids in curing ailment. A proper disciplinary regime prevents weight problems and other diseases related to sedentary lifestyle.

Most of the parents are clueless about right methods of nurturing their kids. Overweight in special children can add on to their existing problems as it is raising them is challenging. Though they may ensure well-being of their child but seeking professional help is utterly important.

Healthy Diet

Sudden changes in food habits may not be good for them. Gradually and slowly introducing food changes help. Parents need to explain patiently to the child to stop eating certain foods that are not good for them or start eating them less. Explain them - this is why 'we' are going to be eating this new way and how it will benefit.

To encourage healthy eating habits in special children offer them small serves of food in the beginning. When he/she will develop a taste gradually, then he/she may ask for a second helping. Healthy eating may also be promoted through offering a variety of foods to children from a very young age.

In case of special kids, it is always advisable to consult the specialist for what kind of food is allowed and is suggested healthy for them. There may be certain food items that maybe harmful depending on the existing medical condition.

Proper Sleep

To understand critical nature of sleep that augments in child’s growth and development, parents’ first need to figure out what healthy sleeping is and what amount of sleep is quality sleep. 

Simply what is required is that, children simply must have a sufficient amount of sleep to develop, grow, and function properly and again it varies from case to case. Even it is varies by age. Parents need to monitor the sleeping pattern of the child and then closely observe behavioral activities after that.  One should remember each child is unique and individual variation occurs.

Exercise

Special children require exercise just as much as other children. Even it is more essential for them. Exercise is a good element for reducing stress and emotional troubles. Physical and psychological impairments can make it difficult for them to get adequate exercise. Even it gets more crucial as they don't have friends to play with.

However, special-needs children can try out options to get adequate exercise. Before adopting any fitness routine, it is vital to consult child's physician.

Empowering Disabled Children with Self-Belief

Infusing self-belief in a disabled child requires combined effort by parents, friends, community and school. All of them are essential in establishing sense of importance and self worth in the child.Children with disabilities often feel that others are able to perform tasks more easily which are intensely difficult for them.  They begin feel bad about themselves and it highly de-motivates them. 

Disable people often face criticism frequently or receive more than required global praise. Criticism damages self-esteem in them and loaded praise and support makes them passive learner. It is also too abstract to be meaningful to concrete thinkers. Parents must train themselves to comment on the positive as much as possible by using very specific praise that will cultivate desired behaviors and boost their child’s self-esteem. By specific praise, the child gets very clear on what behaviors are liked and expected by everyone around. 

Parents and teachers can also boost self-esteem by figuring out what disabled child can do well and by further fostering and supporting those areas greatly. It may or may not help them to feel better about their academic performance, but it definitely helps them to feel better about themselves.

Another parenting strategy is to teach them by laying examples that many people have overcome their difficulties and thereby have become successful. This can be done by reading biographies of personalities who have struggled to achieve their goals despite their illness or disability. Reading about such challenges gives direction to them. Parents must teach their kids to view obstacles as challenges. It helps children with disabilities to adopt a problem-solving attitude. They must learn when to ask for help and who to ask for it. All this forms an important part of life skills that these children must learn.

Moreover, parents can also introduce their child to highly effective members of society who have struggled with disabilities similar to those of the child. They can serve as role models and inspiration to them.

Disabled children feel better about them when they understand that doing things differently, learning differently, and being different is OK, and that differences enrich our lives.