Healthy children are the dream of every parent. The definition of healthy, not only seen from the physical aspect, but also spiritually (mental health). To ensure that the child's condition is healthy and good, parents need to recognize the characteristics of a physically and mentally healthy child.
There are various ways that parents do to make their children healthy. Starting from bringing children tocheck up routine health visits to the pediatrician, complete immunizations, and provide nutrition to support their growth and development. So that health problems and growth and development can be detected as quickly as possible, parents need to know the characteristics of children who are physically and mentally healthy.
Characteristics of Physically Healthy Children
Physically healthy children mean that children are in excellent physical condition with good growth. Characteristics of physically healthy children, including:
- Actively doing physical activity
Children who regularly do physical activities tend to be more confident, easy to concentrate at school, easy to mingle with friends, easy to share and work together, and sleep better. Not to mention the benefits for the body such as strengthening bones, muscles, heart, lungs, and preventing obesity.
- Good growth
Every child has a unique growth rate. However, normal height and weight gain in children will increase proportionally. Rapid growth will usually occur at puberty, namely the age of 9-14 years in girls and 10-14 years in boys. Normal or not a child's growth can be known through a growth chart, which can be checked by a doctor.
- Healthy physical appearanceAn example is healthy looking skin, not too dry, bumpy or scaly. Hair also does not fall out, scalp does not have lice, and nails are clean and not easily broken. Besides, colored tongue pink, the mouth does not smell, and the teeth are not cavities or not tartar.
Characteristics of Spiritually Healthy Children
Children's physical health is important, but don't neglect their spiritual health. Spiritual health or mental health is related to the attitude, personality, development and even academic abilities of children.
Mental health is the way children see themselves and their environment. This relates to the child's ability to deal with stress and challenges.
The characteristics of a spiritually healthy child include:
- Emotions stableMentally healthy children will show good and polite behavior. The child does not show tantrums or be aggressive all the time. Emotions tend to be stable, rarely look sad, or don't withdraw suddenly.
- Cheerful and confident
Children are cheerful and enjoy life. In addition, children feel confident, and do not have excessive worries or anxiety about their physical appearance or eating patterns.
- Easy to get along
Children can be independent and not dependent on their parents. So when faced with social interactions, he does not have a tendency to avoid. Children easily mingle and get along with other children at school and the environment around the house.
- Easy to learn
Children do not have difficulty concentrating, so it is easy to follow lessons at school.
- Get enough restChildren can sleep well and enough every day. The child did not experience sleep disturbances, whether it was difficulty falling asleep or sleeping for a long time. Ideally, toddlers need 10-13 hours of sleep. Meanwhile, school-age children need 9 to 11 hours of sleep every night.
If you notice any physical changes in your child that affect his or her health, immediately consult a doctor. Likewise if you find a change mood or a child's behavior that persists for weeks.
Invite the child to tell how he feels and show empathy for his complaints. If you feel you need help or are unable to deal with a problem your child is facing, consulting a psychologist or doctor may be a solution.