Positive Body Image

In a world where talk about bodies, dieting, and nutrition is ever-changing, it can seem confusing or even unnecessary to talk to young children about positive body image. But as we all know, children are sponges who pick up on our words and behavior. Speaking to your kids about maintaining a healthy and loving perspective of their bodies will set them up for successful futures where they can continue to work on their confidence and know their self-worth. It's also important to be aware and take notice of your own behavior- how do you speak about your body? Are you kind towards yourself? We all have days where we don't feel our best but we encourage you and your families to practice positive body talk and find ways to feel good. Here are some tips on how to encourage positive body image in your children (and yourself!);

-give praise not only on looks but on more important topics like their intelligence, their kindness, etc.
-avoid criticizing their appearance
-focus on health over numbers, healthy looks and feels different for every individual
-find physical activities as a family that are enjoyable rather than forced
-find ways to make nutritious meals fun, whether it's trying new recipes or cooking together as a family

Life has its up and downs, it's important that you love yourself and teach your kids to do the same!