Humans can survive for as long as eight weeks without food. But without water we will die within three days.
Despite the necessity of water for our body's functioning we often do not drink enough. By the time we start to feel thirsty we are already suffering from dehydration, which can impact on mental performance including memory, attention and concentration (see box).
It is important to encourage even very young children to drink water at regular intervals so they develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. For this reason Oakwood School, near Chichester, West Sussex, has installed water stations throughout the nursery, classrooms and even outdoors.
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