Parents are naturals at encouraging their children to make sensible lifestyle choices, as we all want the best for our kids in terms of their health and wellbeing. But did you know that certain lifestyle choices can actually determine whether or not a child performs well in school?

A secondary school in Somerset explores in further detail below.

Diet

Sugary snacks are not only bad from a health perspective, but the rapid rise in blood sugar levels, followed by a consequent ‘crash’ can lead to sluggishness and an ability to focus in lessons.

It’s important to send your child to school with a nutritious breakfast in the bellies to promote alertness and healthy snacks to eat throughout the day, like fruit or carrot sticks and houmous. You should also ensure that your child takes a bottle of water to school so that they remain hydrated.

Sugary snacks are not only bad from a health perspective, but the rapid rise in blood sugar levels, followed by a consequent ‘crash’ can lead to sluggishness and an ability to focus in lessons.

Exercise

Physical activity releases chemicals in the brain that improve our mood and fight stress and anxiety. As a result, a child who doesn’t get enough exercise might struggle with their mental health and they won’t be in the right frame of mind for effective learning.

If you don’t think your child gets enough exercise, it might be worth encouraging them to join a sports team or drama club so that they are able to move around and stretch during the week.

Sleep

We all know that anyone not getting enough sleep will find it difficult to focus on tasks. The general guidelines on the right amount of sleep are usually 8-9 hours, but this might be more, depending on your child’s age.

Make sure they stick to a regular set bedtime and encourage them to switch off their digital devices at least an hour before they’re due to go to sleep so they have time to switch off.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.