Healthy habits for Happy Preschoolers

At Mainadevi Bajaj International Playschool (MBIP), we strongly believe that healthy habits introduced during the formative years become lifelong practices. The preschool phase is not just about learning letters and numbers—it is about shaping the child’s overall personality, health and emotional well-being.

Children learn best through observation and repetition and the habits they form now can significantly influence how they grow, interact with others and view themselves and the world around them.

Here are some essential healthy habits we nurture at MBIP and how families can extend them at home for holistic development.

1. Eating Nutritious Meals

Proper nutrition fuels brain development, boosts immunity and enhances attention span. At MBIP, we guide children to recognize healthy foods through fun activities like food sorting games, cooking demonstrations and we talk about fruits, vegetables, proteins and dairy in simple, engaging ways so that even the youngest child begins to understand what their body needs.

We also celebrate events like Fruit Salad Day and Rainbow Food Week, where children bring tiffins of different colours and learn the importance of a balanced meal in an interactive setting.

Parent Tip: Encourage children to make healthy choices by involving them in meal planning and preparation. Give them the opportunity to touch, smell, and explore fresh foods. Even something as simple as letting them wash carrots or peel a banana helps them connect with what they eat.

2. Getting Adequate Sleep

Sleep is vital for healthy growth, memory consolidation and emotional regulation. Children aged 3–6 need at least 10–12 hours of sleep daily, yet with busy schedules and screen distractions, bedtime often gets pushed late.

At MBIP, we promote calm transitions during the day and wind-down activities such as soft music, storytelling, or guided breathing to teach children the importance of rest. They begin to associate rest with recovery, not punishment.

Parent Tip: Create a predictable and soothing bedtime routine—dim lights, reduce noise, limit screen exposure and read a favourite bedtime story. This consistency helps children settle down and wake up refreshed and happy.

3. Drinking Water Regularly

Hydration is often overlooked but is essential for a child’s physical and cognitive performance. Water regulates temperature, aids digestion and keeps the brain alert.

Our classrooms at MBIP are hydration-friendly zones. We remind children to sip water regularly, especially after physical activity.

Parent Tip: Choose a fun, child-friendly water bottle with their favourite cartoon character or colour. Praise and remind them often—it reinforces good behaviour. You can even turn it into a hydration challenge for the week!

4. Practicing Personal Hygiene

Teaching hygiene early empowers children to take responsibility for their well-being. At MBIP, we teach hand washing techniques with songs, demonstrate brushing with visual aids, and explain why covering your mouth while sneezing is important.

We use daily routines as teaching moments—before snacks, after outdoor play and post-bathroom visits, hygiene is a consistent part of the day.

Parent Tip: Turn hygiene into a game—use fun timers while brushing, sticker charts for daily hygiene routines and praise children for remembering to wash hands independently. Repetition leads to mastery.

5. Staying Physically Active

Movement is essential not only for physical health but also for brain development, coordination and emotional release. At MBIP, children are encouraged to jump, run, dance, stretch and play through our structured yoga sessions, free-play hours and music & movement activities.

Special themed events like Animal Yoga or Obstacle Course Day give children exciting ways to stay active while having fun.

Parent Tip: Physical activity doesn’t need to be complex. A short walk, a dance-off in the living room, or even a few yoga poses together can make a big difference. Let movement be a daily celebration, not a chore.

6. Building Emotional Wellness

Health isn’t just physical. A child’s emotional health influences how they think, behave and form relationships. At MBIP, we place a strong emphasis on emotional literacy—helping children identify their feelings, express them calmly and understand others’ emotions.

We use puppet stories and group circle-time discussions to build empathy, kindness and conflict resolution skills.

Parent Tip: Validate your child’s feelings instead of dismissing them. Phrases like “I see you’re upset. Let’s talk about it” go a long way in making a child feel heard. Emotional strength comes from these early affirmations.

A School-Home Partnership

secure. At MBIP, we keep open communication with parents, send home tips and activity suggestions and even organize parent workshops to align efforts.

Our goal is to raise children who are not just academically prepared—but emotionally balanced, physically strong and socially confident.

Together, let’s nurture happy, healthy pre-schoolers—one habit at a time.