Southwestern Public Health is here to help you and your family. Please call us or contact your health care provider if you have questions about parenting, planning a pregnancy, being pregnant, or breastfeeding. We also provide some helpful parenting information for these ages and stages:
The Looksee Checklist is a simple, easy-to-use tool to help you check a child’s development from infancy to six years of age, using a short list of “yes” or “no” questions.
Learn more about caring for kids from the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Remember 10-5-2-1-0 to keep kids healthy
The numbers 10-5-2-1-0 refer to the sleep, nutrition, screen-time, exercise and sugary drinks that are recommended to keep children healthy.
10 or more hours of sleep each night
- Keep bedtime about the same time each night and create a bedtime routine
- Keep screens (tv’s, video games and computers) out of your child’s bedroom
- Avoid caffeine (colas, chocolate, teas, coffee)
- Practice deep breathing together to relax before bed
5 or more vegetables and fruit each day
- Fill half the plate with vegetables and fruit
- Eat meals or snacks together as often as you can
- Avoid snacks that are high in sugar, fat and salt
- Keep fruit in a bowl on the table and cut vegetables in the fridge so they are ready to eat
- Try a new vegetable every week and ask children to help pick it out
2 hours or less of screen time each day
- Limit time on the TV, computer (outside of school work), electronic games and other screens
- Turn off the TV when no one is watching
- Eat meals together with the TV off and encourage everyone to talk about their day
- Spend free time outdoors, being active or learning a new skill
- Have games, puzzles, crafts and books ready for when children are looking for activities
1 hour or more of physical activity each day
- Provide space and time for children to be active
- Let children choose activities that increase their heart rate and make them out of breath such as soccer, swimming, dancing, skipping or playground games
- Practice movement skills like throwing, running and jumping
- Plan to do something active as a family every day such as dancing after dinner, taking a walk together or playing an active game
- Involve children in household chores
- Encourage walking or cycling to school, the store or to the park
0 sugar-sweetened drinks each day
- Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks such as soft drinks and fruit drinks
- Offer water throughout the day and pack a reusable water bottle for school or other activities
- Encourage children to drink 2 cups of milk alternative or milk with calcium and vitamin D
- Limit juice to no more than 1 cup of unsweetened 100% fruit juice per day
- Avoid energy drinks and sports drinks
Resources
- EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free, high-quality programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals.