How can you care for your child age 7 to 8 years?

Forming healthy eating habits

• Offer fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks.
• Give your child new foods to try.
• Let your child choose how much they eat.
• Limit fast food. Help your child with healthier food choices when you eat out.
• Offer water when your child is thirsty. Avoid juice and soda pop.
• Remove screens when eating. Make meals a time for family to connect.

Practicing healthy habits

• Help your child brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
• Put sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on your child before going outside.
• Do not let anyone smoke around your child.
• Put your child to bed at about the same time every night.

Keeping your child safe

• Use a car seat or booster seat. Install it in the back seat.
• Make sure your child wears the right safety gear, such as a helmet, if they ride a bike or scooter.
• Watch your child around water and busy roads.
• Make sure you know where your child is and who is watching your child.
• Keep guns away from children. If you have guns, lock them up unloaded. Lock ammunition away from guns.

Parenting your child

• Read, play games, and sing with your child every day.
• Give your child chores to do.
• Praise good behaviour. Do not yell or spank.
• Don't let your child watch violent TV or videos.
• Don't use food as a reward or punishment.
• Set a regular before- and after-school routine.

Teaching your child to be safe

• Make sure your child knows your home address, your phone number, and how to call 911.
• Teach your child not to let anyone touch their private parts.
• Teach your child not to take anything from strangers and not to go with strangers.

Dealing with bullying

• If your child is afraid of someone, listen to their concerns. Tell them to try to stay calm, talk things out, or walk away.
• If your child bullies another child, explain that you are upset with that behaviour and that it hurts other people.

Getting vaccines

• Make sure your child gets all the recommended vaccines.