Kids of all ages require time to relax, refresh and recharge, especially as they get older and more active in school or extracurricular activities. Self-care activities for children, along with their families, can help them slow down and relax while hopefully feeling less tired, stressed or anxious.
Participating in self-care activities at a young age can help children develop a routine that will benefit them as they grow and even into adulthood. That sense of routine teaches children how to care for themselves and develops the skills they need to stay healthy mentally, physically and emotionally.
Here are six self-care activities to take part in with your children that can create healthy habits as they develop.
Yoga & Stretching
Stretching can help both you and your child relax, especially before bed, while also improving flexibility. Stretches should be held for around 20 seconds, and this helps your child’s body slow down after high-energy activities. Yoga is another form of physical activity that can provide similar benefits of relieving nervousness and anxiety.
Art Therapy
Creativity is vital to the long-term development of children. A child uses all five senses when creating art, making it a great activity for a developing child. Plus, creating art is the first step in developing fine motor skills. Scribbling eventually leads to greater control and the ability to make shapes and write.
Most importantly, kids enjoy making art!
Story Time
A nightly routine like reading together helps a child’s development in many ways. Young children benefit from learning sounds and understanding words or language. The literacy skills a child develops when reading with adults can lead to a life-long enjoyment of books. Reading together also builds strong relationships between adults and children.
Listen to Calming Music
Music naturally grabs a child’s attention, and children enjoy creating music, as it can be both stimulating and soothing. When a child is hyperactive, music can grab their attention, causing them to focus on the sounds they are hearing. As long as a child enjoys the music, it can be classical, pop or even rock music that grabs their attention and helps them relax.
Take a Bath
Baths can be either stimulating or relaxing for children. Consider reducing the number of toys to avoid over-stimulation during bath time. Keeping water levels low minimizes messes while using lukewarm water avoids skin irritation or abrupt stimulation. By making bath time part of a regular routine, children can become accustomed to winding down and relaxing during a bath.
Screen-Free Day
Studies suggest that children’s screen time has a direct correlation with sedentary behavior, which leads to increased obesity. Activities as simple and easy as dancing, walking, drawing or building a fort take electronic devices out of children’s hands and enhance sensory and creative development.
