Water is the best thirst quencher. Always offer water first. Soft drinks, cordials
and other sweetened drinks should be kept to a minimum. Fruit juices are better
but should also be used sparingly and diluted for young children. This is to help
prevent the development of a sweet tooth and dental caries.
Water is the best thirst quencher. Always offer water first. Soft drinks, cordials
and other sweetened drinks should be kept to a minimum. Fruit juices are better
but should also be used sparingly and diluted for young children. This is to help
prevent the development of a sweet tooth and dental caries.
It is important to instill the love of drinking water from young. Offer water in
a variety of ways to entice them to drink water and to develop a preference for
water over sweet drinks. Use your imagination. Play with temperature, texture, colour
and delivery method.
Temperature
Most children enjoy a cold drink especially on hot days. There is no scientific
evidence to show that drinking cold water will cause anyone to catch a cold. So
a good way to encourage children to drink water may be to alter the temperature.
If you are uncomfortable giving icy cold water, try mixing a little cold water with
room temperature water for a refreshing cool drink. Adding ice cubes are also a
novelty for most children. Just ensure that the ice cubes do not become a choking
hazard by using a drinking cup with a lid that shuts firmly. You could make coloured
or fancy shaped ice cubes, by using a little food colouring and shaped ice cube
trays. Use a transparent drinking cup so that your children get to enjoy looking
at the ice cubes. You could make red and yellow ice cubes and tell your children
that when the ice melts, their water will magically turn green! It will be fun and
educational, plus they drink water happily.
Texture
Crushed ice is a good 'trick' to get children to drink water. There are plenty of
economical and simple manual ice crushers for sale. You could even get your older
child to help you make some. If you are trying to wean your soft drink loving child
off such drinks, try using carbonated water or soda water. That way they will still
get to enjoy the fizz but avoid drinking all that sugar. Mixing some fruit juice
could be a good transition to enjoying plain water.
Colour
Some children get a kick out of drinking 'blue water' or 'pink water'. Simply drop
a tiny bit of food colouring into some plain water and watch them gulp it down.
Change a different colour each day or let them choose.
Delivery Method
Let your child pick his/her own drinking cup. Perhaps, one with a favourite character
or colour. Use that cup ONLY for water. If your child wants to use the cup, he/she
must drink water. Sometimes the novelty of using something totally different, silly
or outrageous to contain water will get them to drink some. For example, your child
could use her play tea set, or a tiny (clean!!) sand bucket. Relax, have fun and
your child will play along. Many children enjoy drinking with a straw. You could
buy a packet of colourful straws and use them at home. Again, use it ONLY for drinking
water.
Drinking enough water becomes important if you live in a hot country. It will ensure
that your child is well hydrated and help prevent constipation. For older children,
you could consider limiting pocket money to buying food only and not drinks. Have
your child carry a water bottle to school.