Self-Care for Kids: How Canadian Parents Can Set Their Kids up for Success
By Anya Willis
When people think about self-care, they tend to focus on adults. However, children can benefit from self-care, too. In Canada, around 33 percent of children experience stress-related symptoms – like headaches or stomach distress – weekly. Twenty-seven percent report feeling hopeless or sad for long periods, too.
By instilling positive habits, Canadian parents can ensure the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of their children now and well into the future. Your kids will be better equipped to handle the challenges of the day, all because they take the time to reset and refresh regularly.
Luckily, there are simple self-care activities for kids that can work at nearly any age. If you want to set your children up for long-term success, The World of Kidtropolis shares some excellent ways to get your kids started with self-care.
Get Moving
The benefits of play are numerous. We’ve known for a long time that physical activity has a positive impact on learning, resulting in a better mood and cognitive improvements. Additionally, participating in active forms of play can support physical health, boost cardiovascular fitness, improve hand-eye coordination, and more.
By encouraging your children to participate in play, you’re ensuring they get the social benefits while improving their physical fitness. They’ll experience better health, lower stress levels, and have some fun, all at the same time.
Practicing Gratitude
Gratitude is an incredibly powerful emotion. Making it part of daily life can turn into a self-care habit that can benefit your child for years to come.
If your children are younger, an easy way to get started is a gratitude jar. Choose a clear container and gather up some scrap paper. Ask your kid to spend a moment every day thinking about something they are thankful for, including people, events, or anything else that made them feel grateful.
Once they have an idea, have them jot it down on paper. Then, they can fold it up and set it in the jar.
Another option that can work for kids at any age is a gratitude walk. As you stroll, everyone takes turns identifying things they appreciate in the world around them. Along with getting some exercise outdoors, it teaches kids to be grateful for more of what they encounter.
Doing Chores for an Allowance
Many Canadian parents might not see giving their children chores and an allowance as self-care. However, it can be a crucial part of the equation.
By doing chores, kids learn valuable life skills that can help them when they’re eventually living on their own. Plus, successfully completing activities – and receiving a reward as recognition – boosts their confidence, making them more comfortable as they take on new tasks in the future.
There’s also an added bonus. By giving an allowance, you’re creating opportunities for them to learn about personal finance. They can make spending mistakes during a time in their life when the risk is minimal. As a result, they’ll have an easier time managing money by the time it genuinely matters.
Finding a Hobby
Hobbies can be a great form of self-care. They allow people to explore passions they don’t get to dive into during the rest of their day, making them a form of entertainment or respite. Plus, many hobbies help develop a range of skills and boost confidence, both of which are beneficial for children.
Encourage your kids to find a hobby to try, preferably one that doesn’t involve screen time. That way, they can start learning and growing in new ways, all while finding an option that genuinely brings them joy.