Drinking Water & Children

Water is essential to a child’s proper growth

Like all human beings, drinking safe and clean water is essential to any growing child. Without enough fluids in our bodies, adults will feel tired and under the weather, and the effects are almost immediate. The same goes for children. But while most parents worry about and the drinking quality and ensure that it is covered, some of them totally forget that quantity is also as important, especially in young and very active children. As with everyone else, children get dehydrated if they do not drink enough water throughout the day.

Dehydration is actually even more dangerous and has more impact in children, especially those in school, as it can manifest in tiredness and irritability, which can distract the child, severely diminishing his or her ability to learn and absorb what he or she is being taught. This could also lead to loss of concentration, which could discourage children from participating in learning activities. Parents must teach their children that even if they are not at home, they should still drink and stay hydrated, even if they are not thirsty. Parents should also make it a point to check if their children’s schools have ample supply of clean drinking water and as an extra effort they should also make their children bring their own drinking bottles.

Another reason why parents should foster their children’s habit of drinking water regularly is the active lifestyle that children lead. Children play and exercise a lot, and when they do, they lose fluids that if not replenished could become dangerous to their health. Because children cannot tell by themselves if they are dehydrated it falls on the hands of the parents to make sure their children take a break from playing to replenish themselves. Otherwise, some children will not stop and could literally play and run around until they can’t anymore. Parents must also realize that because children are still growing, their hydration needs are much greater than adults and that they are also more prone to heat strokes.

However, parents must be reminded that fizzy drinks, soda pops and powdered juice drinks are not suitable replacements for water. If a child insists on drinking these types of drinks, water should still be included in his or her diet. But if possible, these types of drinks should be avoided entirely. Here is a tip: You know that saying that children should drink at least eight glasses a day? Well, that saying still holds true.