Scientific parenting art

Author: / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-03-01
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1 to 5 years is a critical period for children to develop their attitudes and eating habits. Once eating habits are formed, they will stay with them throughout adolescence and adulthood. How to properly feed infants and young children to help them develop good eating habits and a positive attitude toward new foods becomes an important task for parents. After the age of 1, children's growth and development speed slows down relatively, and their appetite decreases. If they don't eat well, parents often become anxious. In fact, this worry is unnecessary. An active and energetic child will not starve their little stomach. If they don't eat well at lunch, they will eat more at afternoon snacks or dinner. Therefore, generally speaking, children's nutritional needs can be met. Parents should prepare a variety of nutritious foods for their children, cultivate their interest in new foods, avoid pickiness and partiality, and eat at regular intervals. The following foods should be provided to children daily: milk and dairy products, meat, fruits, vegetables, rice, noodles, and other grains. Suitable snacks include: cakes, slightly sweet pastries, sandwich cookies, vitamin C-rich juices, vegetables and fruits, and whole-grain bread, etc.
Throughout life, one must continuously accept new foods. So, how can children be made more receptive to new foods? Here are some suggestions for parents:
1. Introduce only one new food at a time at mealtime.
2. Pair the new food with familiar foods.
3. Start with a small amount, such as a tablespoon, and gradually increase it.
4. Offer the new food when the child is hungry, so they may find it enjoyable and more willing to try it again.
5. Discuss the taste, color, texture, and structure of new foods with your child to enhance their sensory understanding and familiarity.
6. Let your child help prepare meals to foster their interest in new foods through participation.
7. Children enjoy praise, so encourage them to try new foods and give them appropriate praise for their courage. If a child rejects a new food, don't force it; wait for another opportunity to try it later.
8. Identify why your child dislikes the new food. If it is presented in a different, more appealing form, they may be more willing to accept it.
9. Eat together at mealtime. Parents should model enthusiasm for new foods and suggest that eating them helps children grow strong and tall like their parents. Avoid saying negative things about foods in front of children. However, avoid using material rewards to introduce new foods.
Scientific research on preschool children has found that while material rewards may encourage them to try new foods temporarily, they may not accept them long-term. Using desserts or sweets as rewards is also not advisable. If a child is full, don't force them to finish their meal, as overeating can lead to obesity. When preparing food for children, pay attention to color, aroma, and taste to increase their interest in eating. Most children prefer slightly warm food and dislike very hot or very cold food. Children should avoid foods with additives, and the sugar and salt content in their food should not be too high. Fast food is often high in calories, fat, and salt but low in vitamins A, C, and calcium. Long-term consumption can lead to nutritional imbalances, pickiness, obesity, and hinder normal growth and development. Therefore, fast food should be consumed as little as possible.
In autumn and winter, some children may experience dry lips and corners of the mouth, or even cracks and pain. Due to the pain, they may eat less or refuse to eat, leading to sleepless nights. Over time, malnutrition and weight loss can affect their physical and mental health. Traditional Chinese medicine that dryness is the dominant qi in autumn and winter, and dryness can easily deplete body fluids. Lips lack sweat glands, so they cannot secrete sweat to replenish moisture loss. Lip moisture is maintained by sebum secreted by sebaceous glands. Under normal conditions, lips do not crack. However, in dry and cold autumn and winter, reduced sebum secretion can lead to dry and cracked lips. Additionally, since fresh vegetables are less abundant in autumn and winter, picky eaters may have insufficient riboflavin intake, contributing to dry lips and corners of the mouth. Some children may lick their lips and mouth corners to relieve discomfort, but this worsens dryness, cracking, bleeding, and pain. This is because saliva contains proteins and amylase, and when licked onto lips, the wind can evaporate moisture, leaving amylase on the lips, making dryness worse.
Many children enjoy oranges, but oranges are fragrant and slightly warm, and excessive consumption can cause dryness and fluid loss, leading to symptoms like dry lips and sore throat. Therefore, children should not eat too many oranges. Encourage them to drink more water, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and consume foods that promote fluid retention, such as pears, water chestnuts, and lotus roots. After illness, wash lips with warm water 2–3 times daily and apply a 70% glycerin solution. Alternatively, apply the oil from vitamin E capsules to the lips and corners of the mouth. Oral vitamin B2 (5–10 mg per dose, three times daily) can also be taken. For sore throat and dry lips, decoct 30 g of silver ear fungus, 15 g of white peony root, and 15 g of orchid root as a tea to drink. Additionally, teach children to stop licking their lips.
1. Language expression skills. Both oral and written expression skills are important, as they will benefit children in any future career.
2. Comprehensive understanding of literature and social sciences. Basic skills require knowledge in these subjects.
3. Practical application and understanding of mathematics. Teach children data statistics and use algebraic equations to solve production and life problems, helping them adapt to the rapidly changing demands of the modern era.
4. Understanding the relationship between physics, chemistry, biology, and the environment. Knowing the laws of material world movement and making correct decisions is crucial in today's rapidly advancing technology.
5. Proficiency in at least one foreign language and familiarity with a foreign culture. Educators believe that language training offers dual benefits. In the future, if they enter the global financial or trade markets, foreign language skills will be highly advantageous.
6. Training in computer and other technology skills. Don't just focus on basic word processing; aim to solve more complex problems.
7. Artistic appreciation. High-level artistic cultivation can enhance children's personality.
8. A true understanding of social, political, and economic systems, enabling them to stand firmly in society and contribute to it.
9. Paying attention to physical health, hygiene, and developing good exercise habits. Health is fundamental, and only with a strong body can one make greater contributions to society.
10. Developing analytical, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.
These ten skills are essential for children to adapt to this era. Therefore, while parents are concerned about their children's exam scores, they should also focus on cultivating their intellectual and physical abilities. This will lead to a bright and prosperous future.
As children grow older, their ability to analyze problems improves. To foster their confidence and sense of participation while teaching them the responsibilities and duties of family members, parents can involve them in household matters.
1. Family income and expenses. Share the family's approximate income with children and explain how it is earned and what it is used for. This can teach children the simple principle that effort leads to rewards and help develop their habit of thrift. Parents can also seek their children's opinions on major expenses, showing them that spending requires choices, comparisons, and priorities.
2. Holiday arrangements. Discuss holiday plans with children, showing respect for their opinions and making them feel like part of the family with the right to express themselves. This can also satisfy their desires, as long as their suggestions are reasonable and feasible, parents can consider following them.
3. Parents' hard work. Parents work, study, and take care of their families, so they can share their feelings with children to teach them to listen, understand, and show empathy. To deepen their understanding, parents and children can swap roles during holidays, such as letting the child manage household affairs. Avoid giving children the impression that parents are all-powerful and tireless. However, children are not yet mature, and their capacity is limited, so some things should not be shared with them:
1. Marital disagreements. Some couples may have conflicts or differing opinions, seeking their children's support or sympathy by sharing things they shouldn't. This is counterproductive. Parents should only emphasize their own views, but since children's sense of right and wrong is still developing, this can lead to bias or confusion. Some emotional issues are even unclear to the parents themselves—how can they burden children with them? Additionally, if parents have differing ideas on how to raise children, avoid exposing these conflicts in front of them. This can make children confused and some may exploit these differences for their own gain.
2. Parents' negative emotions. Some parents vent their frustrations, whether about societal issues or workplace problems, to their spouse upon returning home, regardless of whether children are present. Such conversations are often biased or one-sided, which can give children negative psychological cues, making them develop negative attitudes toward society, school, and even interpersonal relationships.