Five numbers add up to good advice - #lakewoodnews

There are many numbers to remember while grandparenting. Thankfully parents leave good notes, the schedule they want their children to follow, and recommended food. The Healthy Children's Organization and Harvard researchers have a few numbers to help every day. They are 65210.

Positive six-to-one

The "six" in the number stands for six compliments to every correction. Studies show that complimenting children for doing good deads and doing something well is very powerful. "You really made a tall tower. Good job setting the table! You picked up those Cheerios so well! Thank you for helping your brother!"

Overcorrection is very easy for adults to do. It's quick, it's easy, but it is not as effective as catching children being good or doing a good job. Compliments let children know they are being capable and kind. They will be better models for others, be more successful making friends, and feel better about themselves. Families are sometimes astounded how using this one technique changes the atmosphere in their homes.

Five for food

The number "five" stands for five fruits and vegetables per day. Some children may love fruits and vegetable from the very beginning. Usually though, families need to be stealthy and very creative. Fruits and vegetables can be freshly cut up and eaten raw with a dip, placed in smoothies, mixed in cereal, in pancakes, or served as snacks with some of their favorite food, The five fruits and vegetable number is important because fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals, filling, and help avoid obesity in our carbohydrate-rich culture.

Two hours maximum

"Two" is for the maximum hours of screen time every day. No matter what kind of screen --; TV/DVD, computer type, or phone, children are sitting rather than moving around. Encourage playing outside, playing a game inside the house, creating something, or reading.

One hour minimum

Number "one" in 65210 is for one hour minimum of physical activity per day. Playing outside is best. If that is not possible, play a sport inside with wads of paper. Bowling, playing basketball in a box, volleyball, tossing a ball, and having snowball fights are all possible with a wad of paper reinforced with tape.

Put a cork in it

"Zero" is for zero sugary beverages. Replace with water and milk. Check labels for sugar, artificial sweeteners, and carbohydrates. Energy drinks, sports drinks, and flavored water sweetened fruit juices sound so good, but check the labels. Sugar is added as fructose, corn syrup and many chemicals.

Diet drinks have higher amounts of acid that can harm teeth and often replace water, milk, and other healthy options. Sugary drinks do not have nutritional value, are expensive, and don't make us feel full.

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