Sidra Medicine wishes you a happy and healthy Ramadan. Though children are exempt from fasting, many do observe the Ramadan fast. To ensure a safe fasting for your children, please follow the below tips: 

• Support your children especially if they fast for the first time.
• Encourage  you children to fast gradually  so that their bodies can get used to going long hours without food
• Encourage your children to break the fast with dates and/or water. 
• Encourage your children to eat Iftar meal slowly and take time to chew their food well
• Make sure your child’s meals include all food group such as grains, meat, fruit and vegetables. 
• Encourage your child to drink plenty of water between Iftar meal and Suhoor meal (6-8 cups). 
• Prepare healthy high energy Suhoor meal that contain carbohydrates such as:rice and bread , protein such as: meat and chicken , and fibre such as:fruits and vegetables . this helps to provide your child with energy during fasting period  
• Encourage your child to avoid eating salty food, fatty food, junk food and high sugar food.
• Encourage your child to eat more fruits and vegetables between iftar and suhor meals. 
• Encourage your child to drink  fresh juices and other healthy drinks such as: milk and laban to help them stay hydrated during fasting period 
• Make sure that your child wake up for Suhoor meal. This will help them to stay focused in classes and through the day. 
• Involve your child in preparing Iftra meal and make their favorite meals.  
• Do not allow your child to fast without Suhoor meal as it can make them weak and tired.
• Allow your child to break the fast if they feel tired or dizzy. 
• Make sure that your child sleeps at least 8 hours at night and a day nap can help them through the day.
• Avoid  heavy exercises which may make your child thirsty and exhausted during fasting