Building healthy habits is important to start at a young age. Helping kids get active and practice good dental hygiene are just a couple of ways parents can help their kids develop a healthy lifestyle. Local leaders in health and wellness share their top tips to keep healthcare comfortable for kids.
Jerry Robinson
Launch Family Entertainment, General Manager
How can your business model promote healthy living?
Studies have shown that an hour of continuous jumping on trampolines can burn 1000 calories. How crazy cool is that!?
What is the most popular attraction?
Dodgeball. The kids love the competitive aspect of it.
What role can play-based fitness have on kids’ health?
We talk so much about mental health these days, but I believe physical fitness not only promotes a healthy body, but also a healthy mind. Getting your kids out and getting them active is good for the mind, body, and soul.
What part of your business brings you the most joy?
The smiles and laughter. Seeing families out and enjoying themselves is why this business model works. You just can’t duplicate what we have online or at home, it’s 20K sq ft of family fun.
Taylor Michela
Ann Arbor YMCA, Director of Member Experience
How do you define “being healthy” beyond just physical health?
Being healthy means more than just being physically healthy. At the Ann Arbor YMCA we have three areas of focus: healthy living, social responsibility and youth development. We strive to create opportunities to improve overall health through fitness and building a stronger community. Being healthy to me means you are taking care of your whole wellness–your body, mind, and spirit.
How can parents instill healthy habits in their children from a young age?
With one of our focuses being youth development, we like to start wellness at a young age. This happens through our camps and childcare programming, offering programs like dance classes and various learn-to-play sports to introduce movement in a fun and engaging way. Modeling healthy habits can be a shared experience for families of all ages, whether that’s introducing an infant or toddler to the water in a parent/child swim class, or taking a free group exercise class with your teen. If you are interested in instilling healthy habits, it can be as easy as taking a walk outside, kicking a ball around, or turning on music to dance to!
What is one small step families can take right now that would make a noticeable difference in their health?
It can be hard to start a wellness journey. Get started with a 10-minute walk outside. It’s a great way to be active, spend time together and get some vitamin D!
How do you create a welcoming environment for families who may be nervous about health care?
We offer much more in our facility than just our fitness center, and we pride ourselves on making everyone feel welcome no matter where they are on their journey, or what they come into our facility for. We are always happy to give anyone interested in learning about our organization a tour, and we offer equipment orientations to help those who are new to the gym become comfortable with the space and equipment.
What part of your practice brings you the most joy?
The most joyful thing about working for the Y is being a part of so many people’s days and routines. Each day we are engaging with our community by catching up in the lobby, teaching them in an exercise class, or guiding them through a new skill or program. Every interaction we have with them gives us the opportunity to build connection in our community and brighten both our days.
Bonnie Dockham, LMSW
Cancer Support Community, Executive Director
How can parents instill healthy habits in their children from a young age? Practice what you preach! Kids learn far more from what we do than what we say. The old line “do as I say, not as I do” simply doesn’t work when it comes to building healthy habits. Children need to experience what it feels like to be well-nourished, active and cared for. When parents model healthy choices, whether it’s preparing balanced meals, moving their bodies, or prioritizing rest, it makes a powerful and lasting impact.
How do you create a welcoming environment for families who may be nervous about health care?
Feeling nervous about health care is completely normal—our imaginations often make things seem scarier than they really are. I focus on creating a welcoming environment by reducing as much uncertainty as possible. When families feel informed, supported, and truly listened to, their comfort grows. Clear communication and genuine empathy help people feel seen and supported. Knowing they’re not alone goes a long way.
Kristin Auer, DDS
Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry: Ann Arbor and Chelsea Locations, Pediatric Dentist
The best way to encourage good dental habits from a young age is to start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the teeth come in. It can be helpful to sing a song as part of your toothbrushing routine to help your child feel more comfortable during brushing. Remember you don’t have to do toothbrushing in the bathroom for young children. Sometimes it is easier to brush a young child’s teeth by having them lay on a soft floor surface with their head in your lap. We also recommend that parents help their child with toothbrushing until the child is in at least 3rd grade. Happy toothbrushing!
At Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry we believe that having parents in the dental operatory with the child for all treatment is very important to build a positive dental experience! We encourage families to bring their child’s favorite stuffed animal, blanket, fidget toy, or other soothing tools to their dental visits to help them feel more comfortable as well!
