Water is vital to the human body. Children need to drink an appropriate amount of water (1.5 to 2 liters per day) just as an adult should. Many times parents have trouble getting children to drink water. Some children prefer juice or sodas, which usually contain large amounts of sugar. Parents must become creative and set examples for their children to get them to drink the amount of water that is needed for their health.
Get Creative With Water
Because children seek constant entertainment, including in their food, parents may need to get creative to encourage them to drink water. Many stores sell ice trays with compartments of various shapes. If you make ice with these, the children can later put the novelty shapes into their drinking glasses with their water and watch the cubes bob around. They may even want to drink more water, just so they will be allowed to make the funny ice shapes.
It is also useful to invest in a filtered water pitcher. If your child is into science, she may want you to explain how the water is actually being filtered and try to figure out how the system works. She will be amazed to learn all the minerals that the pitcher will filter from the tap water.
You could also add sugar-free flavor packets to your child's water. These flavor packets are inexpensive and can be found at most stores. They usually contain only 10 calories per packet and come in a variety of flavors.
Keep the Water Cold
Keeping a pitcher of water or bottled water in the refrigerator encourages children to drink more water. If no other drinking options are available in the refrigerator, they will go for the water. Most times after coming inside from playing, they are thirsty and in need of liquid, so they will grab whatever is handy. Children also overheat faster than adults and are more prone to suffering from heat stroke. If the water is kept cold, children may view it as a refreshing treat if they are hot.
Set an Example
As a parent you should be drinking around 64 oz., or roughly 2 liters, of water each day. If your child can see that you make a habit of drinking the amount of water you should, he will do it as well. Children tend to copy what they see. If the parent prefers to drink sodas and juice, the child will want to follow this behavior. Encourage your child to drink water along with you. Make it a family affair, and have the entire family drink water to ensure that the children get the water they need.
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