Parenting 101 Videos
Kids don't learn healthy habits from lectures. They learn by watching what you eat, how you move and when you put the phone down. This guide explains what the healthy living for kids video series covers, from feeding picky eaters to building active routines, and gives dads simple ways to start at home.
The series is education for families, not medical or dietary advice. Talk to your child's pediatrician about growth, allergies, special diets or supplements.
Picky eating is common, especially in toddlers and preschoolers. Many kids need to see a new food many times before they'll try it. Pressure, bribes and “just one more bite” tend to backfire.
A helpful approach many families use: you decide what food is served and when; your child decides whether to eat and how much. Put a small portion of a new food next to something they already like. Eat it yourself without comment. Let them help shop for and cook it. The cooking with kids page has easy kitchen jobs by age.
Eating together doesn't have to mean dinner every night. Breakfast on weekends or a snack at the counter after school also counts. What matters is sitting down together without screens and talking.
Keep it simple. Rotate a few easy meals, prep ingredients on Sunday and let older kids help. See easy and quick meal preps for dad-friendly ideas.
Kids need daily physical activity, and the best kind is the one they enjoy. That could be a bike ride, a dance party in the kitchen or shooting hoops with you. Your involvement makes a big difference in how much kids move.
Sleep is just as important. Consistent bedtimes, a wind-down routine and screens out of bedrooms at night help most kids sleep better. The American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org has sleep and media guidance by age, including a family media plan.
Family walks, park visits, active games and sports.
Same bedtime most nights, dim lights and no screens before bed.
Regular meals and snacks, water as the go-to drink, plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Don't try to overhaul everything at once. Pick one change for the month: water instead of juice at dinner, a 20-minute family walk after supper twice a week, or a set bedtime on school nights. Once that sticks, add another.
Involve your kids in choosing. A 7-year-old who picks the new vegetable to try or plans the Saturday bike route is much more likely to go along with it than one who's told what to do.
Look for nutrition and healthy living videos in the video gallery, and catch replays of community sessions on family health in the recordings area at https://phenomenalfatherhood.builda.space/community/Welcome-Fathers/recordings.
For deeper reading, see the nutrition tips for kids and families and balanced diet for growing kids. If your child has a food allergy, read dealing with food allergies and sensitivities and work closely with your doctor.
FAQ
Offer new foods often, in small amounts, next to familiar ones. Eat them yourself, involve kids in shopping and cooking, and avoid pressure or bribes. Talk to your pediatrician if picky eating affects growth.
Health guidelines generally recommend school-age kids get at least an hour of physical activity a day, and younger kids need plenty of active play throughout the day. Ask your pediatrician about your child.
Eat meals with your kids, choose water over sugary drinks, stay active where they can see it, keep a consistent sleep routine and put your phone away during family time.
Keep going
Parenting 101 Videos for DadsParenting 101 videos for dads on newborn basics, parenting styles, milestones, nutrition and discipline. See what each series teaches and where to watch.
Nutrition Tips for Kids and FamiliesNutrition tips for kids that make mealtime calmer: picky eaters, portion sizes, snacks, drinks and the division of responsibility. Try one change this week.
A Balanced Diet for Growing KidsA balanced diet for kids, explained simply: food groups, the plate method, smart snacks, drinks and picky eaters. Feed your growing kids with confidence.Cooking With Kids: Building Skills and MemoriesCooking with kids builds life skills and memories. See age-by-age kitchen jobs, safety rules and easy first recipes for dads and kids. Start with one meal.Healthy Eating Habits for FamiliesHealthy family eating habits start with how your household shops, cooks and eats together. Simple routines dads can lead for better meals and fewer fights.Active Lifestyles and Physical Health for FamiliesBuild an active family lifestyle without a gym: daily movement ideas by age, balancing screens and sleep, and how dads lead by example. Get the family moving.Ask a question, meet other dads in the 24/7 room, or join the community for resources and support at every stage.
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