Staying hydrated has a number of benefits for your child in the classroom

According to the Natural Hydration Council, children are at a greater risk of dehydration than adults as they have higher water requirements in relation to their body weight. Unlike adults, children usually have to ask for a drink, so rely on their parents/caregivers to keep them hydrated.

As today (22 March) is World Water Day we have considered how a glass of water with breakfast will help set your child up for a productive day in the classroom.

Did you know that roughly two-thirds of the human body is made of water? Which is essential to transport nutrients to cells, regulate body temperature, digest food, lubricate our joints, and to flush out waste and toxins.

Dehydration is caused by not drinking enough water to replace what we lose throughout the day, and tiredness is one of the first signs of dehydration. If you have a bedtime in place for your child to ensure they are properly refreshed for the next day, you certainly don't want something as preventable as dehydration putting a spanner in the works. This associated tiredness will further impair your child's attention span, memory and motor skills, all of which will negatively impact upon their academic progress at school. Even mild dehydration (1-3% of body weight) can impair many aspects of your child's brain function.

An act as simple as drinking a glass of water will boost your child's productivity and help them to concentrate and feel revitalised throughout the school day.

Recent studies have found evidence to demonstrate a link between water consumption and academic achievement. One study of 447 students from the universities of East London and Westminster, found those who entered the exam hall with water scored an average of 5% higher than those without. This suggests that H2O promotes clearer thinking, and helps alleviate anxiety in stressful situations (the action of sipping of water allows you time to stop, take a breather and settle your nerves).

As a parent/caregiver you play an important role in helping your child to develop healthy hydration habits, therefore lead by example and, for your younger children ensure you are offering them sufficient amounts of water to maintain optimal hydration.

Encourage your child to make the most of drinking stations at school to keep them mentally focussed in class, and educate them on the importance of adequate hydration.

As an adult it is within our nature to keep ourselves hydrated, but it is a different story for children who often get wrapped up in an activity or task and forget to drink. However, just as we work at our optimum best when we are hydrated, so will your child, so ensure they are able to get the most out of every day by helping to keep them hydrated.