Educators have a key role in helping young people form healthy habits that’ll set them up for success – inside and out of the classroom. Here are three important areas where educators can help their students to develop positive habits.

Diet and nutrition 

In schools, educators and decision-makers have the opportunity to establish policies that encourage children to make positive and informed choices around their diet and nutrition. Start by assessing the current food offering and making the necessary changes to make whole foods and healthier options more accessible to young people. 

Schools could also look towards their own growing initiatives such as developing a vegetable garden, growing ingredients that can be used in the canteen. This could also encourage children to want to grow more of their own food at home. 

As well as providing healthier options in schools, teachers should educate children about the importance of a good diet. This is already a key part of the curriculum, but educators can go further by attempting to make the topic more fun and accessible to young people. Things like reward charts, gardening and storytelling are great ways to introduce primary school children to the importance of a healthy diet. 

Sleep hygiene 

Getting enough sleep on a regular basis supports so many different aspects of our physical and mental wellbeing. As adults, we’re all well aware of its importance, but young people often overlook the value of sleep. Establishing better sleep habits has to always begin with education. Teaching students of all ages  about the importance of getting enough quality sleep – and the good hygiene habits that’ll help them get it – is an important first step to encouraging them to make positive changes. 

There are so many opportunities to make sleep education part of the curriculum. There should be a particular emphasis on lessons that can help to regulate the circadian rhythm, such as physical education; children are more likely to have a healthy sleep routine when they’re getting enough physical activity each week. 

Sleep becomes especially important during exam season, when stress and other factors are likely to impact their nighttime schedule. As a teacher, you can help to facilitate better sleep by carefully planning the homework and tasks you set, and ensuring that it’s a case of quality over quantity. 

Mental wellness

The conversation around young people’s mental health is more prevalent in today’s society than ever before. To help perpetuate this conversation within school, teachers must strive to establish an open and supportive environment where children feel comfortable to discuss their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment – should they so wish. 

Targeted mental health training can also give teachers the tools to pass onto their students, and help them to establish healthy habits that support their mental wellbeing. Mindfulness techniques, gratitude and prioritizing social connections can all be positive habits to explore. In addition, nutrition and sleep have a pivotal role in helping us all to maintain good wellbeing, so focusing on these areas can have far-reaching benefits in all different facets of their lives. 

Give students a helping hand

Teachers shouldn’t underestimate their role in supporting children through their formative years. Playing your part in helping them to establish healthier habits will promote more success and happiness in all different aspects of their lives, and provide the foundations for academic achievement. 

Author bio: Noah Davies

Noah is a freelance writer who has over ten years of experience working with international brands in the education sector. A former teaching assistant himself, Noah has first-hand experience of the impact education and positive reinforcement can have on young people.