When it comes to healthy habits for children’s mental health, we usually focus on nutrition, sleep, and exercise. But did you know that hydration is equally important and an often overlooked aspect?
Like other beneficial practices, drinking enough water boosts brain function and mood in children.
What Research Says about Why Hydration is Important
Research shows that inadequate hydration can lead to impaired cognitive and emotional functioning in children and adolescents. (Cognitive function involves various mental abilities, including memory, attention, reasoning, and problem-solving, while emotional functioning relates to how children manage their emotions.)
It's amazing to think that one tiny element—just drinking enough water—can make such a big difference in their school performance and other areas of their lives. Here are more benefits of drinking water.
What’s the Current Recommendation for Daily Hydration Intake for Kids?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not currently have a recommendation for how much water a child should consume each day. However, according to Patrick Mularoni, MD with John Hopkins Medicine, children under the age of 8 should drink a number of 8-ounce glasses equal to their age. For example, a 6-year-old should drink six 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Meanwhile, those ages 8 and older should aim for eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
Despite not having a specific recommendation for daily consumption, the CDC does recommended that children are encouraged to drink water as part of their daily routine, when the weather is warm, and as an alternative to sweetened drinks and juices.
4 Hydration Tips for Kids
Teaching kids and teens good hydration habits can be simple and fun. Try these!
Personal water bottles. Use colorful, reusable water bottles to make drinking more appealing. Allow them to choose their own fun or personalized water bottle.
Add natural flavors. Infuse natural flavors like cucumber, berries, or lemon!
Hydrating snacks. Serve water-rich snacks like watermelon, cucumber, or grapes.
Track daily intake. Use charts or a themed planner to track their daily intake. Add fun stickers and gamify the process by assigning points to earn rewards.
These small changes can have a huge impact. Remember—a well-hydrated child is a happier, healthier, and more focused learner.
*This article was originally published in our email newsletter on September 17, 2024.
