Some kids just seem to be blessed with genes that make them tower over the rest of the kids their age from a very young age, and other kids are among the shorter or even the shortest one in their class or group of friends. As a parent, you of course know that height does come with its advantages, and so if you have one of the shorter kids in the bunch, you may have some concerns.
Taking to your child’s doctor about his or her height no doubt resulted in a lecture to you about how each child grows at his or her own pace, and that genetics plays a huge role in a child’s maximum potential height. Yet many parents of shorter kids often don’t want to drop the subject after a discussion about genetics, and instead they want to look into what they as parents can do to help. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Genetics Does Matter. The fact is that not every child is meant to be six-foot-four. Of course, if you have a shorter child, you’d be happy if your girl would even make it to five-foot-two or your son would reach five-foot-six or seven. These aren’t towering heights by any means, but these small heights do seem to be pushing the envelope in terms of height your child could reach if you have one of the short kids in the bunch. While you may have some predetermined height you wish your child could be one day, rest assured that Mother Nature has already set a maximum on that height potential. Of course, there are some things you can do to help your child reach that maximum potential height!
Boys Grow Longer – Usually. When boys are around 8 to 10 years old, parents often become a bit more concerned as the girls in their class often shoot past them with a big growth spurt or two. However, girls generally stop growing several years before boys do, and some boys will continue growing even until age 20. Keep in mind that growth is a marathon and not a sprint.
Sleep Matters. Growth is affected by the production of human growth hormone (HGH) in your child’s body. It is a hormone that is released in small amounts throughout the day, but a larger amount is released during a child’s deep sleep phase. Studies have shown that kids who get inadequate amounts of sleep on a regular basis do indeed have a shorter stature than others. In fact, a severe shortage of sleep over an extended period of time can cause a condition known as human growth deficiency. You will want to ensure that your child is getting enough sleep each night, and an extra nap on the weekends won’t hurt either.
Plenty of Exercise. Science has shown that sleep as well as exercise are both critical to helping the body produce growth hormone. Some believe that getting short bursts of intense exercise throughout the day is better for spurring HGH production than long sessions of activity. However, the most important thing is that you give your child plenty of opportunities to be active on a daily basis.
Meals and Snacks. Your child’s meals and snacks can also play a part in the natural production of growth hormone. Some studies have indicated that eating more frequent meals (or otherwise regular snacks between meal) can help to boost the body’s natural production of growth hormone. Eating a balanced diet is key to giving the body what it needs to grow and develop, but some studies have indicated that getting a little extra protein, carbs, and lean fats can help the body to produce more growth hormone.
Clearly, you can see that there are quite a few things that parents can do to help their child reach his or her full potential height. Of course, it all boils down to encouraging your child to eat healthy, get a full night’s sleep every night, and get plenty of time actively playing with friends, too!
Here are a few other articles written by this author:
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Helping Your Kids Through Fights with Friends
Kids and Friend Drama: When to Step In