This is a partnered post.
The human body is made up of around 60% water, often more than this in children, so it’s no surprise that water is incredibly important for your child’s overall health. Water is involved in many important chemical reactions within the body, and also assists in the flushing out of toxins, as well as numerous other functions. Many children dislike drinking water for one reason or another, so follow these simple tips if your child is one of the many.
Improve The Taste & Odor
One of the most common complaints about water is that it doesn’t taste nice, or that it smells funny, so you need to combat this if you want to encourage your children to drink more of it. Try using a water purification system, such as the Pentek filtration system, to remove things like iron and sulfur from your water, as these are what can cause the odd tastes and odors. You could also try adding pieces of fruit, such as slices of lemon of chopped strawberries, to add some color and flavor to the water and make it seem more appealing overall.
Set An Example
Children tend to cope their parents, so your child is unlikely to drink more water unless they see you doing the same. Water is just as important for your health as it is your kids, so ensure you’re drinking the necessary amount each day too.
Make It Interesting
If you make drinking water a novelty, then your child is going to do it more often. Make sure your child has a special bottle or cup from which they can only drink water and ensure it’s always available to be filled with water, whether you’re in the house or out and about. Children love the novelty of straws, so purchase some reusable plastic straws that they can use to drink their water. If you have more than one child, you could get them to pick their own straws, in their favorite colors, to make it even more special for them.
Have Limited Options
Having a lot of options for what to drink is likely to discourage your child from the “boring†option of water. Instead, stick to only a few, like milk in the morning, water for the rest of the day, and another drink later on as a treat. Many would choose to give their child fizzy pop as a treat, but if you want your child to be healthier, then perhaps their favorite juice is a better suggestion.
Make It A Game
You could create a water chart, where you could fill up how much water your child has drunk throughout the day, and then give them their treat drink once the chart is filled. This will encourage your child to drink more water and will make them feel accomplished at the end of the day.
All of these simple suggestions are likely to encourage your child to drink water more regularly. Just ensure that you’re consistent, and continue to encourage your child to drink more water, and it’s sure to be their first option in no time at all.
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