Seven steps to healthier, happier children who perform better in school (Video)

The majority of parents are trying to raise happy children who have few, if any, health problems. Helping children succeed at school ensures they have a brighter future. Today's culture fosters unhealthy kids who may be unhappy, despite all the latest technology. How children spend their leisure time and the foods they eat have a direct affect on grades.

By following the seven steps with their children, parents will also be healthier and happy and should have a better memory.

1. Get active: Children and adults are healthier and have better attitudes after spending time in outdoor green spaces. Take the children outside for at least an hour every day. Children need to run around and play, to get physically tired while outdoors breathing clean air. Even on cold winter days, children benefit from the natural vitamin D. Gather the neighborhood children for a game of touch football.
2. Change eating habits: Processed foods are loaded with chemicals, stripped of nutrients and promote weight gain. Those bags of cookies and chips are empty calories, providing little nutrition. Frozen pizza rolls may be quick, but read the ingredient list. If the names can't be pronounced, odds are they're bad for your health. Taste buds have to be developed. Don't over-cook fresh vegetables. Introduce new fruits. Sprinkle fresh blueberries over yogurt. The FDA allows over 3000 chemicals in the processed foods.
3. Practice good manners: Children need organization. Teaching children good manners helps them maintain control of themselves and to respect others. This generates good feelings between the child and his peers, as well as the adults in his life. Studies show that children with manners are much less likely to bully others.
4. Rid the home of dangerous chemicals: From cleaning supplies to grooming products, industry has dumped toxic chemicals into everything. Mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo, laundry detergent, soap and other cleaning agents contain dangerous chemicals that cause damage to developing brains and bodies. Go natural as much as possible. Clean with vinegar and baking soda, use plain glycerin soap, swish with peroxide and use all natural products for cleaning hair and everything in the house.
5. Use natural remedies whenever possible: Children don't need antibiotics, pain medication and pills to help them sleep when they catch a cold or have the flu. Children need the opportunity for their bodies to heal themselves. Natural remedies work just as well or better, in some cases, as prescribed medications. There are dangerous chemicals in most synthetic medicines that can leave permanent bad effects.
6. Have real conversations: All children desire interactions with their parents. They need to have their ideas, opinions and suggestions validated by the adults in their lives. Children are people too, remember. Don't be the parent who mumbles, "yeah, yeah" or "later." Listen to the child. Ask questions. Make remarks that show your interest. This develops children who will stand by their convictions, not just follow the group. A strong relationship with parents keeps them away from drugs, alcohol and sex.
7. Encourage a child's imagination: A vivid imagination is how modern society came to be. Tomorrow's leaders will come from children of today. Schools often suppress the imagination of a child. Play games of pretend with children. Ask them to tell stories about things they discover in the yard. Lead with questions of "what if..."

Chemicals can damage the IQ of children. A lack of play and developing imagination can affect a child's learning ability. Children need structure, a sense of security and rules to follow. Without these things, children become stressed, learning is harder and they do not fear consequences of their actions. Good food, exercise outdoors and interaction with parents will greatly influence a child's learning ability, his physical and emotional health and her level of happiness.