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A Healthy Home Environment

What is a healthy home environment?

A healthy home environment is one which promotes the whole family's physical, mental, and social-emotional health.

Why is the home environment important?

The home environment is important because it constantly impacts all aspects of the family's health. For children, the home environment is especially important as it sets the framework and foundation for their physical, mental, and social-emotional health and development. Negative aspects of a home environment can impact children's health adversely.

What aspects of the home environment need particular consideration for children's health?

• Physical aspects of the home environment can impact children's health. For example, smoking impacts the air they are breathing in and damages their lungs, and bad lighting in reading areas can cause stress on their eyes.
• Mental aspects of the home environment can impact children's health. For example, too much television can negatively impact literacy and learning.
• Social and emotional aspects of the home environment can impact children's health. For example, lots of arguing and criticism can negatively impact their self-esteem, ability to cope emotionally in a healthy manner, and brain development.

How can I promote a healthy home environment for my family?

• Think about different aspects of your child's and family's health, and how they might be impacted by the home environment. Make positive changes where possible.
• Consider physical aspects of the home environment: ventilation and air quality, lighting, space, hygiene, safety, and what items are in the home. Create an atmosphere that promotes overall health. For example, not smoking in the home will reduce damage to children's lungs, while having arts materials (such as paper and markers) available will encourage creativity and imagination.
• Consider aspects of the home environment which impact the mind. Set limits on television and Internet use. Encourage reading, thinking, and discussion.
• Consider social and emotional aspects of the home environment. Spend quality time together as a family. Establish reasonable expectations for your children. Acknowledge feelings and communicate with each other regularly. Build your child's self-esteem and confidence. Create an environment of warmth, openness, and respect, grounded in love and family values. Be a positive role model.

Other tips

• Encourage the whole family, including children, to be involved in creating and maintaining a healthy home environment. Children often see things differently from their perspective, and may have different and useful ideas on how to make things more ‘health-ful'.
• Maintaining a healthy home environment is an ongoing process. Things change, and children change as they grow older.