Parenting for Health

Your kids develop attitudes toward being active and eating right during their preschool years.  Their experiences at this age can empower them to make healthy choices that will last a lifetime.   When it comes to being active, preschoolers need as much daily physical activity as older kids do.  Like with older kids, they may also need an extra boost of encouragement to get more physical play.  Here are ten tips to get your preschooler moving actively every day.

1. Just rewards!
   Praise children when they are active. Compliment their creativity and enthusiasm for movement.
2. Peer review!
   Without comparing skill level or encouraging competition, encourage children to model one another’s activity. Compliment cooperation, helping and sharing games that include physical activity.
3. All in the family!
   Concepts presented at school are more likely to be adopted if the family reinforces them at home.
4. Walking field trips!
   Combine physical activity with adventure by taking walks of discovery.
5. Chart your course!
   Keep a physical activity log chart on your refrigerator. Monitor and post the amount of time your child spends on physical activities.
6. Don’t eliminate!
   When playing tag games, design strategies for children to re-enter the game quickly by performing a specific movement. This will ensure continuous activity and reduce the level of competition.
7. Repetitive motion!
   Children like things that are familiar. Repeat favorite activities often, adding slight variations.
8. Don’t melt when it rains!
   Look for indoor opportunities for physical activity on days that the weather doesn’t permit outdoor play. Dance to the children’s favorite music.
9. Bragging board!
   Create a physical activity and nutrition bragging board. Post photographs of children and parents engaging in healthy eating behaviors and physical activity. You can include pictures drawn by the children, walking field trip maps, art projects, and magazine pictures of healthy foods or physically active people.
10. Activity day!
    Have your own mini “field day” full of non-competitive fun. Create stations around the play area for children to visit, including obstacle courses, games, dance activities or tag. Make sure to include rest stations and water breaks.

Source: Be Active Kids

AW8XARSBDYF7  As a parent, you know that 60 minutes of active play each day benefits your child physically and stimulates them mentally.  But some communities lack safe areas for kids to be active,  contributing  to increased rates of obesity and other chronic diseases.  A 2010 State Indicator Report on Physical Activity  by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that sedentary lifestyles may be a result of the lack of easy ways for youth to be physically active in their communities and schools.  You can help change this by checking out KaBOOM! – a national non-profit dedicated to increasing safe places for children to play.  KaBOOM! offers free step-by-step resources for you to collaborate with others to build or improve play spaces in your community.  KaBOOM! offers free step-by-step resources for you to collaborate with others to build or improve play spaces in your community, increasing opportunities for physical activity and improving the health of thousands of children for years to come.  Visit the KaBOOM! website to get started!

With summer officially here, like many parents, you’re probably searching for ways to keep your kids active and off the couch. Here’s a list of fun events and activities for your kids and family to enjoy this summer.

1. Attend Second Saturdays at N.C. Museums and Historic Sites

Thirty-seven museums and historic sites under the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources will participate in family-friendly Second Saturday Summer events on July 10 and Aug. 14. 

2. Participate in Go Skateboarding Day

Go Skateboarding Day is a national event that takes place on June 21. Many skate parks across the state are celebrating with a full day of activities. Visit the Go Skateboarding Day website  to search for events or inquire with your local skate park.

3. Visit the Sand Dunes at Jockey Ridge State Park

This unique park in Nags Head  is home to the tallest sand dune on the Atlantic Coast. You can also enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Soundside and Tracks in the Sand trails. The park is open daily until 9 pm.

4. Hike in the N.C. Mountains

You kids will have fun participating in the TRACK Trail Program  in the North Carolina Mountains. The program offers four self-guided adventures that will help your kids explore and connect with the natural world in communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Monthly guided hikes are offered the second Saturday of each month.

5. Pick fresh fruits and vegetables at a North Carolina farm

Spend a day at a working North Carolina farm  for a tour, to pick fresh fruits and vegetables and learn about farming techniques and how produce grows. 

Join the Discussion:

Tell us how your family plans to stay active this summer?

This week marks the end of another school year for most North Carolina kids. Two of Be Active North Carolina’s Just Push Play schools did a great job of promoting physical activity and creating a healthy school environment this year.

Raleigh’s Underwood Elementary School held an all-day health fair in April as part of its goal to instill healthy habits in their students. Kids were introduced to new physical activities like yoga and karate, and learned about foods and nutrition with activities like planting a garden and making healthy snacks.

Thomasville Primary School in Thomasville received the Gold Award in the USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge. The challenge recognizes schools that create healthy school environments by promoting good nutrition and physical activity. In celebration of the award, the school had a health day with plenty of physical activities and games and a “farmers market” where students could select healthy snacks for themselves.

How is your child’s school promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles?

The North Carolina Alliance for Health is urging your support for two obesity prevention bills currently under consideration in the N.C. General Assembly. The House Health Committee is scheduled to consider HB 1756 (Update Child Nutrition Standards) and HB 1757 (Physical Education and Activity in Schools/Fitness Testing) today .  In North Carolina, more than one-third of children and youth 10-17 are overweight or obese. In addition, a study shows that kids consume nearly 47% of their total daily calories from meals and snacks at school – a direct connection to a school’s food environment. Given these growing problems, the Child Nutrition Standards bill supports making all foods sold and offered in schools healthy and the PE bill supports mandatory fitness testing in schools. 

Consider signing the resolutions in support of these bills:

Click here to sign the Resolution in Support of Quality Physical Education

Click here to sign the Resolution in Support of Nutrition Standards

As a parent, you know that helping your children develop healthy habits is a must. You also know that instilling good habits is not easy. But with more than half of the children in North Carolina considered physically inactive and the fifth highest rate of obese children ages 10-17 in the nation, it is more important than ever to commit to good health and lead by example. Disregard the old adage “Do as I say, not as I do” and start walking the walk in your own home.

Here’s a list of healthy habits that you can pass on to help keep your kids and family healthy:

• Limit the screen time (TV, computer and video games) to 2 hours or less a day
• Enjoy 30-60 minutes of daily physical activity. Try these simple activities:
  • Take a walk
  • Ride a bike
  • Go for a swim
  • Play with  friends
  • Do housework
• Read nutrition labels
• Limit sugary drinks and sodas
• Limit desserts and unhealthy snacks
• Cook dinner at home and let children help with meals
• Choose healthy foods from each food group for a balanced meal
• Be mindful of portion size

Join the conversation – what healthy habits are you practicing at home?

Spring is the perfect time for your children to be outdoors getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. However, it may be  a challenge for you to keep children engaged in outdoor play.  The challenge is especially difficult when televisions, gaming systems and computers are competing for your child’s attention. Studies show that kids today are spending half as much time outdoors as they did 20 years ago.  In addition, a lack of active outdoor time can lead to increased rates of obesity, stress, diabetes and other ailments. 

One of the most important things you can do to get your child outdoors and active is to limit all screen time to 2 hours or less a day. This frees up time for physical activity and forces your child to be more creative in their play. Teach your kids old-fashioned games like tag and hide-and-go-seek while encouraging them to create simple outdoor games on their own.  As a parent, you can also start or join an outdoor playgroup in your neighborhood or community.  Furthermore, commit to taking your child outside, whether it’s to a local or state park, to expose them to nature activities such as hiking.  Many outdoor activities require little equipment or structure. Buying basic and inexpensive items like balls, jump ropes and Frisbees is a great way to encourage outdoor activity.  Need more ideas? Visit the Parenting for Health website for tips on keeping kids active.

What do you recommend to get kids outdoors and active? Share your ideas!

One week ago,  the National Physical Activity Plan launched as the roadmap for getting Americans moving.  The plan is a national effort to encourage Americans to be more physically active where they live, work and play. Everyone can reap the health benefits from living an active lifestyle.  By doing so, we decrease the incidence of developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases. However, nearly 25% of Americans are not involved in any physical activities.  In North Carolina, over 54% of school aged children do not get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Aside from health benefits, studies show that fit students have fewer absences and perform better academically.  As a parent, you can impact thousands of lives by supporting this effort in your community and your child’s school. We’ve compiled a list of ideas inspired by the Physical Activity Plan to help you get involved. 

1. Get involved in the process of improving wellness and increasing physical activity at your child’s school. North Carolina schools are required to have a school health advisory council and provide 30 minutes of structured daily physical activity to students in grades K-8.  Review the Healthy Active Children Policy.
2. Advocate for improved community planning that allows for more neighborhood schools and opportunities for children to walk and bike to school.  Learn more about the N.C Department of Transportation’s  adoption of the Complete Streets policy.
3. Support the implementation of physical activity programs in early childhood facilities. Learn more about the Be Active Kids program.
4. Reach out to leaders in your civic, social and faith-based organizations to advocate for policies that support physical activity choices in your community.  
5. Write an opinion piece to your local newspaper to raise awareness about the Plan.  

How will you support the National Physical Activity Plan?

Childhood obesity task force releases 14 recommendations :: WRAL.com.

A Legislative Task Force announced 14 recommendations Monday to curb childhood obesity in North Carolina.

Zoe is a fictional character we have created to demonstrate activities you can do with your family.  Like Be Active North Carolina, she focuses on physical activity!

Zoe is a 27 year-old nanny working for a Wake County family with a middle schooler, elementary schooler, and a toddler.  The parents, Ed and Nancy work and Ed travels regularly.  Zoe doesn’t live with them, so communication about the day is vital to keeping the kids on the right track.  Following are Zoe’s notes to Ed and Nancy. Enjoy!

 Hi, Ed & Nancy

The kids and I had a great day. I want to share an article with you about U.S. kids snacking too much on junk foods.  Although the kids eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, I prepared a new snack with grapes and low-fat cheese cubes for Jon and Ava to enjoy at school today.  Alexa ate the same snack this afternoon after we returned home from the park.  All three kids enjoyed the snack, so I will make it again for them soon. After school, we took a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood.  Jon and Ava are so excited about the family’s spring break trip to the beach later next week.  Have a great weekend!

Talk to you soon,

Zoe

 Do it yourself!

 You can have a day like Zoe’s and the kids’ no matter where you are in the state!

Simple and nutritious snack ideas:

1. Put cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks
2. Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze
3. Microwave a small baked potato. Top with reduced-fat cheddar cheese and salsa
4. Toast a whole grain waffle and top with low-fat yogurt and sliced peaches
5. Dip baked tortilla chips in bean dip