14 Wellness Tips for Kids From Our Doctors

These are challenging times and almost everything about our daily lives looks different. Here are tips from the pediatric experts at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital to support your family as you work, live and learn during COVID-19.

1. Establish a consistent and structured daily routine.
2. Set aside five to 10 minutes each day for special time. This involves letting your child lead the play. During this period of time, parents should use praise and avoid questions, criticisms and commands.
3. Strengthen the family. Identify one day of the week that can be a family movie or game night.
4. Encourage daily exercise.
5. Use the time at home to promote exploration of new interests.
6. Use praise liberally.
7. Ignore minor misbehavior such as whining.
8. Consequences should be age-appropriate, predictable and time-limited.
9. Each member of the family should have an individualized stress management plan.
10. Identify that this is a stressful time for everyone in the family. Stay patient and calm. This can be achieved by using relaxation strategies such as diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness. Apps can be used to assist with guided relaxation (e.g., Headspace).
11. Work on keeping a positive self-dialogue. Replace unhelpful thoughts with more helpful thoughts.
12. Keep an attitude of gratitude. Keep a daily journal where every member of the family identifies things they are grateful for.
13. Keep connections with family and friends. Feeling socially supported is critical.
14. If someone in the family has passed, identify positive memories and mementos to carry on the family member’s legacy.

From page 20 of Healthy Restart for Schools Playbook

RELATED LINKS

UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital’s dedicated team of more than 1,300 pediatric specialists uses the most advanced treatments and latest innovations to deliver the complete range of pediatric specialty services for 750,000 patient encounters each year. Learn more about UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital or find a pediatrician close to home.