Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Kids

You can help your children make healthy New Year's resolutions for themselves! The American Academy of Pediatrics offers some great tips for kids and their parents.

The following are some New Year's tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Infants/Toddlers

• I'll allow myself "tummy time" when I'm not sleeping on my back.
• I won't ride in a car without being buckled in to a car safety seat.
• I will keep myself, and the places where I live and play, clean.
• I will ask my mom and dad to read to me every day. If I'm old enough, I'll read to myself.
• I will brush my teeth twice a day, wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating, and clean up my messes right away.
• I won't tease the family dog or even a friendly dog, and I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from his mouth.

School Age Kids

• I will drink milk and lots of it, and limit soda and fruit drinks.
• I will spend a couple of minutes every morning and afternoon applying sunscreen before I go outdoors. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I'm playing sports.
• I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like jumping rope, dancing, karate or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
• I will always wear protective gear-especially a helmet-when cycling, scooting or blading.
• I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I'll use a booster seat until I can correctly use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
• I'll be nice to other kids. It's easier and more fun than being mean, and I'll feel better about myself.
• I'll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name, or telephone number in an Internet chat room or on an Internet bulletin board. Also, I'll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent's permission.
• I will always ASK if there's a gun in the homes where I play.

Adolescents

• I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day, and I will limit the amount of soda I drink.
• I will take care of my body and seek my highs through sports, fitness and nutrition instead of through drugs and alcohol.
• I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will only spend one to two hours each day-AT THE MOST-on these activities.
• I will check to see if I can give away any of my unwanted clothes and shoes to those in need.
• I will wipe negative "self talk" (i.e. "I can't do it" or "I'm so dumb") out of my vocabulary.
• Whenever I am feeling angry or stressed out, I will take a break and look for constructive ways to feel better, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal, or talking out my problem with a parent or friend.

(c) 2002 - American Academy of Pediatrics