Child well-being: 10 simple daily habits

A well-adjusted child is not a child who never cries or succeeds at everything. It is a child who sleeps enough, feels safe, dares to try, knows how to say what they are feeling, and feels loved for who they are. The good news: a child's well-being is built primarily through the small gestures of daily life, not big decisions.

Here are 10 simple gestures to take care of the well-being of your child aged 6 to 12, without pressure and without guilt.

1. Protecting their sleep

Sleep is the foundation of everything: mood, concentration, and emotional management. International pediatric recommendations advise 9 to 12 hours of sleep per night between ages 6 and 12. A regular bedtime, a soothing routine (story, cuddle, soft light), and no screens right before sleep make a real difference.

2. Sharing family meals

Eating together, even simply, is a time to talk, laugh, and share how your day went. Ask open-ended questions: "What made you laugh today?" rather than "Did you have a good day?". And whenever possible, let your child participate in the preparation: they will be proud to taste what they have made.

3. Moving every day

The World Health Organization recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children and adolescents. You don't need a sports club: biking, playing in the park, dancing in the living room, walking to school—it all counts. Moving also helps with better sleep and releasing tension.

4. Planning screen-free time

Screens aren't the enemy, but they can quickly take over everything. Define screen-free times and places together: mealtimes, the bedroom at night, the first hour after school. Instead, suggest an activity to do together: a board game, drawing, or a recipe.

5. Learning to name emotions

A child who can say "I am frustrated" or "I am scared" is less likely to need to shout or hit. Help them put words to what they are feeling, and lead by example by talking about your own. To start in a fun way, try our "it reminds me of..." game to express emotions using flavors.

6. Allowing them the right to make mistakes

Failing is part of learning. When your child makes a mistake, avoid correcting it for them: ask them what they could try differently. This is how they develop perseverance and confidence. Our advice on handling a child's frustration when they "fail" applies far beyond the kitchen.

7. Entrusting them with real responsibilities

Setting the table, watering a plant, packing their bag, helping with cooking: age-appropriate responsibilities show them that you trust them and that they are useful to the family. Discover 5 gestures that boost a child's self-confidence.

8. Respecting free time (and even boredom)

Between school, homework, and activities, children's days are often very busy. Keep some unscheduled moments: this is where imagination, invented games, and creativity are born. A child who is a bit bored almost always ends up finding something to do.

9. Connecting them to their roots

Knowing where you come from helps you know who you are. Tell them the family history, memories of their grandparents, or pass on a language, songs, or recipes. For diaspora families, cooking traditional dishes together is a simple and joyful way to pass on a culture.

10. Spending time just the two of you

Ten minutes a day of undivided attention, no phone, just with them: that is often what matters most to a child. Playing, chatting, reading, cooking… the activity doesn't matter, what matters is that they feel they have your full attention.

When to ask for help?

Every child goes through more difficult periods. But if you notice persistent sadness, sleep or appetite disturbances, social withdrawal, or significant behavioral changes for several weeks, talk to your doctor or pediatrician. Asking for advice is never a failure; it is taking care of your child.

Cooking: an activity that checks all the boxes

Cooking with your child is simultaneously screen-free one-on-one time, an age-appropriate responsibility, the right to fail and try again, and the pride of sharing a meal as a family. This is why we created Ti Chef, a book of 37 recipes easy to make with children aged 6 to 12, where each step specifies what the child does and what the adult does.

Want to try? Start with our free no-bake recipe, or discover the Ti Chef e-books.