Pediatric Well-Being

As soon as your children are verbal you should begin talking to them about wellness, states Primary Health Network pediatrician John Cunningham, MD. This includes encouraging them to incorporate physical activity into their lifestyle and remaining physically active; a great way to keep your child excited about wellness is by modeling that behavior as a parent. Children who regularly see their parents enjoying healthy foods and physical activity are more likely to engage in those activities themselves. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that children have no more than 1-2 hours of screen time (TV, computers, etc.) per day, so this free time can be used for physical activity.Demands and stresses are a part a child’s daily existence; for example, your child may worry about making friends or succeeding in school. Children express their feelings through verbal communication, play, and through imagination, so be sure to encourage those behaviors to help your child work through their fears or worries. Most stress that children experience is not harmful; it is simply a part of going through childhood and learning about themselves. Anytime you are concerned about your child’s developmental or mental well-being, address the issue with your pediatrician as soon as possible.