Bells are ringing across the country as kids settle into classrooms for a year full of fun , friendship and plenty of learning .
While exciting , adjusting to new school schedules is a hectic time . Healthy habits are often forgotten as the focus shifts to studies , assignments and extracurriculars .
" Parents and caregivers can make a big difference in helping kids lead a healthy lifestyle during the back-to-school season and beyond ," says Deanna Segrave-Daly , a mom and registered dietitian . " A few proactive steps can set kids up for success in and out of the classroom ."
Segrave-Daly offers six easy ideas you can try to help encourage your kids to build healthy habits that last a lifetime :
Prioritize sleep
Sleep is something families often sacri�ce due to busy schedules . Remember , kids need signi�cantly more sleep than adults to support their rapid mental and physical development , according to the National Sleep Foundation . School-age children should strive for nine to 11 hours of sleep each night . Establish a nighttime routine and prioritize sleep every night .
Eat breakfast
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day - especially for our kids . Help them jump-start their day with a quick breakfast of healthy foods like fruit , eggs and whole-grain cereal . For those busy mornings , grab fridge-free , GoGo squeeZ YogurtZ , made with real low-fat yogurt and fruit , for a wholesome option they can easily eat in the car or bus with a banana , toaster waf�e or whole-wheat toast .
Encourage exercise
Kids should do at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Hopefully some of this physical activity can take place during the school day , but there are lots of easy ways to build healthy activity into daily life at home . Make a habit of going on a family walk after dinner ( a great chance to unwind and reconnect ) or challenge kids to bring their books up the stairs or to another room one at a time . Take 10-minute " dance party " breaks during homework or see who can jump rope the longest .
Manage screen time
It ' s important for families to be mindful of screen time for kids . The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids ages 2-5 limit screen use to one hour per day of high-quality programs . For children 6 and older , place consistent limits on the time spent using media and monitor the types of media used .