In fact, children’s height growth is not even, but rather occurs in sudden growth spurts. During this critical period, children will exhibit certain special signals.
Parents should know how to recognize these signals and take appropriate measures to seize this “golden opportunity” to help their children grow taller by 5-10cm.
Increased Appetite – A Sign of Imminent Growth
Children may suddenly experience a strong increase in appetite. They not only eat more than before but also feel hungry soon after meals, with a significant increase in snacking frequency. This is a sign that they are about to enter a phase of rapid development.
As children grow and develop rapidly, their nutritional needs increase significantly. Their bodies are like machines running at full capacity, requiring a large amount of nutrients such as protein, calcium, and vitamins to support bone growth and maintain efficient functioning. Therefore, parents should pay extra attention to their children’s diet during this time.
Firstly, ensure a diverse range of foods so that they can consume various nutrients. In particular, children should eat more protein-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy, and beans. For example, dairy products are rich in calcium and vitamin D, which aid in calcium absorption, while fish is a great source of unsaturated fatty acids that are beneficial for brain development.
Don’t forget calcium-rich foods like dairy, yogurt, cheese, soy products (tofu, soy milk), shrimp, seaweed, and sesame seeds. At the same time, combine them with vitamin D-rich foods to enhance calcium absorption. Animal liver (in moderation), egg yolks, and cod liver oil are all excellent choices.
Parents should also guide their children to adhere to the “three坚持 and four不要” principles. The “three坚持” are insisting on drinking milk, maintaining a balanced diet, and having a light dinner. The “four不要” refer to avoiding excessive oil, salt, sugar, and food additives.
Complaining of Leg Pain – A Common Growing Pain
Parents may notice that their children often complain of leg pain, especially at night. They may wake up due to the pain while sleeping. In fact, this type of leg pain is likely growing pain, a normal physiological phenomenon during rapid growth phases.
When children are in a phase of rapid height growth, their bones develop quickly, while their muscles and tendons develop relatively slowly, struggling to keep up with the pace of bone growth. This leads to pain and discomfort, similar to stretching a rubber band too quickly or forcefully, causing it to snap.
Growing pains typically occur around the knee joints, the front of the lower legs, or the back of the thighs. The pain is usually bilateral, affecting both legs. The intensity of the pain varies from person to person. Some children experience only mild discomfort, while others may feel more pronounced pain.
Many children experience leg pain at night while sleeping.
When your child complains of leg pain, remain calm and assess if it is indeed growing pain. Provide relief by applying hot compresses and massaging the affected area.
Secondly, ensuring adequate nutrition and sufficient sleep is crucial. Continue to encourage a diet rich in nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamins to support bone growth and strengthen their immune system, reducing discomfort from growing pains.
Growth hormones are secreted most abundantly at night during sleep. Children should develop a routine of regular work and rest, getting enough sleep each day to allow their bodies to rest and recover fully. This ensures normal hormone secretion and promotes optimal height growth.
Rapid Changes in Shoe Size – A Silent Indicator of Height Growth
Many parents have likely experienced this: you buy new shoes for your child, and after a few months, they seem too small, as if your child’s feet have grown overnight. Indeed, this is an important signal indicating that your child is about to experience a rapid growth spurt.
The development of the foot bones is fundamentally synchronized with height growth. When the foot bones grow rapidly and shoe size continues to increase, it signifies that the entire skeletal system is in a state of active growth. It’s like a small tree, where the roots continue to grow and spread underground, providing sufficient nutrients to support the growth of the trunk and branches.
Parents should encourage their children to be more physically active.
In this case, parents should pay attention to changes in shoe size and provide their children with comfortable, breathable, and well-fitting shoes. During this phase, it’s also beneficial to encourage more physical activity to promote healthy development. For instance, jumping rope for 15-20 minutes daily or engaging in stretching exercises through sports like basketball, swimming, or badminton are great options.
Height growth is an irreversible process, and if the critical period of rapid height growth is missed, it becomes challenging to make up for lost ground. Therefore, parents should be attentive to physical changes, providing scientific and reasonable guidance on diet, sleep, and exercise. By seizing this golden opportunity, you can help your child develop a healthy posture and embrace a brighter future.
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