Healthy habits

Healthy Start: Get help to buy food and milk

If you are pregnant, or have children under the age of 4, you could be entitled to help to buy healthy food and milk. 

Find out if you are eligible and how to apply on the NHS healthy start website. Or you could contact your midwife or health visitor or local hub for more information. 

Cook together

Cooking with your children can help them to try more things and have a healthier diet. Come and join us for free family cook, play and learn sessions 

HENRY

HENRY supports families to make positive changes around health and wellbeing in children. This includes food choices, emotional wellbeing, parenting skills, being active and more. Find out more about HENRY  including recipes and activity ideas. Talk to someone at your local family hub if you are interested in doing this course, or something similar. 

Getting active

Physical activity which just means moving your body, helps children to grow and have healthy bodies. Regular physical activity can help your child; 

  • develop their focus 
  • sleep better 
  • reduce anxiety and stress 
  • have fun! 

Children aged 2-4 should be physically active for at least 3 hours (180 minutes) a day. This can be across the day and doesn’t need to be all at once. The more the better. 

Any movement is good. It is best where you need to breathe faster, your body feels warmer and your heart rate increases. This is called moderate or vigorous activity.  

Getting active - things to try

  • Active play like running, jumping, chasing, playing ball games
  • Riding a bike, balance bike or a scooter
  • Jumping in puddles or jumping over them
  • Going for a walk- maybe try collecting natural things or playing hide and seek or chase
  • Climbing, is trees, up stairs or at the park
  • Dancing put on some music on and dancing together or singing nursery rhymes with actions 
  • Going to the park or soft play
  • Blowing bubbles and trying to pop them
  • Hopscotch, skipping and other active games 

Teeth

Protect your child's teeth by brushing twice a day. Find a dentist near you or read more on our teeth brushing and oral health page.  

 

Information from https://childrenandfamiliesnewcastle.org.uk/
Printed on April 3rd 2025
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