Swimming and water sports are great ways for children to be active once they’ve had swimming lessons and feel comfortable in the water. Swimming is an aerobic activity, which helps keep the heart strong and reduces chronic disease risk. It’s also a fun way to be active and stay cool outside during the heat of … Read More
Category: Tips
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! Children should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening exercise. Regular physical activity can improve muscle, bone, and heart health, especially for growing children.¹ It can be difficult to meet physical activity recommendations, for both children and adults. Start with small … Read More
Every Kid Healthy Week
Did you know that one in three children in the U.S. are overweight or obese? Every Kid Healthy Week celebrates schools’ efforts to promote health and wellness. This year, Every Kid Healthy Week is April 23-27. This is a great opportunity for you to encourage your children to Move More! Here are some ways you … Read More
Butterfly Snacks
Fill a re-sealable snack bag with two healthy treats (one on each side). Pinch the middle with a clothespin. You can decorate the clothespin to look like a butterfly with markers and twist ties. Try grapes, cheese cubes, baby carrots, celery, pretzels, oat cereal, dried cranberries, almonds and more! … Read More
Preparing for PE Fitness Tests
North Carolina public schools encourage healthy growth and development by creating physical activity goals for children to meet in physical education (PE) classes. Even if your child hasn’t started kindergarten yet, you can be preparing them early for the PE requirements. Listed below are activities for different grade levels that children can participate in to … Read More
Physical Activity Through Childhood
Children at different ages may be at different developmental stages, but no matter your child’s age there are appropriate physical activities. For example, while infants can’t run and play the same way school-aged children can, they can still benefit from “tummy time” and playing with toys that engage their growing muscles and bones. Structured physical … Read More
Screen Time Breaks
Today’s technology has made it easier than ever to learn and gather new information. It also helps connect us with our out-of-town friends and family. Many children today are introduced to screen time (watching TV, playing video games, using a computer, etc.) at a young age, but it’s important to be mindful of the potential … Read More
Snow Day Safety
Snow days are the eagerly anticipated breaks from school children get in the winter to sled, build snowmen, and drink hot chocolate. Despite the chilly weather, children can work up a sweat as they play in the snow, making it a great opportunity for fun physical activity. While many children love snow days, it’s important … Read More
Check your list twice!
As we approach the holiday season, you might be concerned about how to feed holiday guests and add festive foods to your budget without going overboard. Before you make your grocery list, check twice to make sure you can pay the bill. Fortunately, many grocers offer festive foods at lower prices during this time of … Read More
Holiday Eggnog, Make it Healthy
‘Tis the season for favorite holiday foods and drinks. Eggnog is a classic holiday drink that is quite tasty but can be a bit high in fat and calories. Between the heavy cream, sugar, and eggs, eggnog can quickly become a real calorie buster. There is good news; you don’t have to give up the … Read More