Drinking water — Wellbeing, 4–6 years
Water helps the body work when playing, thinking and staying cool. Wellbeing, 4–6 years.
Water in your body
Your body contains a lot of water, even though you cannot see it inside you. You lose some when you breathe, sweat and go to the toilet, so drinking helps replace it and keeps your mouth and body comfortable.
Why thirst matters
Thirst is an early message from your body that it needs more water. This matters especially after running or on a hot day, when you lose water faster; people learned to carry and share water because bodies cannot work well without enough of it.
After running
Leo plays tag outside for twenty minutes on a warm day. He notices a dry mouth and thirst, stops in the shade, drinks some water slowly, and takes another drink later; he does not wait until he feels dizzy.
Only when very thirsty
A child may forget to drink because playing feels more urgent, or think that thirst must become very strong first. Thirst is useful, but waiting too long can make a dry mouth, tiredness or a headache more likely, so small drinks during the day can help.
A bottle to carry
A refillable bottle can be useful at the park, on a walk or during a journey, especially when there is no tap nearby. It is still sensible to ask for a drink when you are thirsty and to use a clean bottle rather than sharing someone else’s.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…