Eating together as a family is not just something that is a good habit—it is a practice that can significantly boost both health and academic performance.
Better Health
Family meals can promote healthier eating habits. Parents can model good eating behaviors, making it easier for children to adopt similar habits. Research has found that children who eat meals as a family regularly are more likely to have better adult diets, better eating habits and higher intakes of essential nutrients. A balanced diet is also important for academic performance, as children are less likely to be hungry in school or used to sugary snacks that might make it hard to focus.
Better Vocabulary and Reading Skills
In many cases, children who have frequent family meals have a better vocabulary and reading proficiency. This is because the conversations that occur during meals expose children to a broader vocabulary and more complex sentence structures than they might encounter in other settings, like age-appropriate books. These vocabulary and conversation skills will also help them perform with confidence when reading out loud or speaking in front of the class.
Improved Overall Academic Performance
Children who participate in regular family meals tend to perform better in school. Communication during family meals allows parents to stay in the loop about their child’s academic progress and challenges. This makes it easier to offer support before bad grades come home. Additionally, conversation topics during many family dinners often include current events, history, and other subjects that relate to what kids are learning in the classroom.
Strengthen Baltimore’s Youth with MissionFit!
At MissionFit, we recognize the fact that community, family, and healthy social relationships are essential to setting goals. We are highly dedicated to strengthening Baltimore youth through classes and an open gym. It’s our goal to encourage positive traits, like respect and teamwork, and provide children with a place to gain self-confidence and enjoy some exercise. To learn more about our classes or donate to support our mission, visit our website. We’re making health a possibility and a priority for Baltimore’s youth and helping to foster more black leaders from Baltimore. If you want to support youth programs in Baltimore, here are two easy ways to do so through MissionFit:
Donate here if you believe community, family, and relationships impact health!
You can put your online shopping to good use by donating a percentage of your purchase with AmazonSmile! To get started, sign in here, search for “MissionFit” and select us as your charity of choice.
