Got Water? Experts Say Kids Need Just as Much as Adults!

Their bodies may be smaller, but that doesn’t mean they can skimp on drinking water. In fact, it’s more important than ever, experts say, to make sure children are properly hydrated.“The standard recommendations are for children to get six to eight glasses of water per day,” says Dr. Melina Jampolis, CNNHealth’s Diet and Fitness expert. “Mild dehydration can affect learning as well as mental and physical performance.

Supporting Jampolis’ contention is a recent Tufts University study that found that children who are even mildly thirsty can become cranky. For older, school-age children, dehydration—even at low levels—can mean impaired cognitive function, says lead researcher Kristen D’Anci, PhD.

In reality, however, many parents can commiserate on the difficulty of getting kids to drink any water, never mind enough. To that point, the following tips may give concerned parents ideas on how to help kids guzzle more of what’s good for them.

Make water easily accessible.
Place a pitcher in the refrigerator, have water bottles out, waiting, and ready to be filled, or have bottled water handy. That way, there’ll be no excuses. Additionally, you may want to consider offering water that has mildly alkaline properties such as Alkame Water. Ionized water has smaller molecule clusters that are able to permeate a body’s cells faster, while hydrating more fully and effectively. In turn, this allows little bodies to absorb water and minerals better, and flush out toxins. Another added benefit? Alkame is the only water patented for high levels of stabilized 
dissolved oxygen.

Take it to go.
Kids model what they see, so whenever you and your wee ones are on the go, make sure you take water for yourself and your child. If you’re taking sips of water throughout the day, chances are, they will too. And don’t stop at car rides, take water on family picnics and walks and to the park and other outings.

Serve water-rich foods.
Many good-for-you-foods, such as soup, fruit and milk, contain 80 to 90 percent water. Watermelon, for instance, is usually a kid-friendly favorite and a great water-logged fruit.