Although Not Yet Mandatory, Children Can Learn Fasting According To Their Cognitive Development

Illustration of children learning fasting according to cognitive development (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA In the month of Ramadan, many parents want to teach fasting to the baby. Although before the baliq the children are not obliged to fast, it is important to accompany them to perform mandatory worship by their parents.

According to the Head of the IDAI Central Management, doctor Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A(K)., many creatures live fasting. Even babies who are only three days old have a stomach capacity of 2 tablespoons of breast milk. They fast because they need 300 calories per day while the stomach can only receive two tablespoons. The calorie needs are met by brown fat in the body, which is processed into keton and then become a source of energy.

In a briefing by the IDAI Central Board held this afternoon, Thursday, April 6, doctor Piprim explained, children who have not been obliged to fast but need to be accompanied by their parents when learning to fast. There is no definite benchmark for when children are strong in fasting. But parents must monitor the intake of fluids and adequate nutrition in balance during fasting. For example, children aged 6-7 years start learning fasting.

Doctor Piprim's message, 'Don't get dehydrated and also provide balanced foods. Avoid too many sweet foods, too high in calories, because they have the potential to be obese. Sweet foods, high in sugar, and flour, will make blood sugar rise quickly and fall fast too.'

Because there is no age benchmark for children learning to fast, parents must ensure several things related to the cognitive development of their children. Parents can invite their children to learn to fast, when their children mature mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It also depends on the parenting pattern practiced by their parents. Recommendations, fasting time should not be too short or not take too long. For example, when the child participates in eating suhoor, understand that fasting will not have breakfast, does not drink, and does not snack. Also understand that fasting not only restrains thirst and hunger, but gives an understanding of the value of fasting according to your child's knowledge.

Doctor Bernie Endyarni Medise, Sp.A(K)., MPH. explained, children who are ready to fast have an interest in activities during Ramadan fasting. They can also communicate well, at least they can communicate to their parents if they are not strong enough to fast. According to the cognitive development of Piaget, children aged 6-7 years are independent, the body is better prepared, and enters the concrete operational stage. This means that children are able to understand and understand logic and have abstract thinking skills.

"Children need to be introduced to fast according to their development stage. Parents need to understand that fasting is beneficial for children's development," said doctor Bernie, Head of Public Relations and Welfare of IDAI PP Members.

For children's development, fasting can be useful in training self-regulation, training to be patient, training discipline, respecting rules and time, training tolerance, increasing persistence, increasing faith and knowledge about religion, and preventing obesity. It is important for parents to practice, not to force children because later they can be traumatized. The message of the Piprim doctor as a cover, provide balanced nutrition, including macro and micronutrition.

The need for protein is 2 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, at the age of 6 years weighing 20 kilos, requires 40 grams of protein a day. For example, in 1 egg contains 6 grams of protein. It takes 6-7 pills. If you add fish, about 1 ounce of fish fillet contains 25 grams of protein. So it takes 1.5 ounces. Try not to eat once, but in installments. If you break your meal with 3 eggs, then you can eat 7 eggs, "explained doctor Piprim as a guide for providing protein intake while children learn to fast.