NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017
Five Tips for Keeping Kids Healthy
Adults in a child's life - at child care, at school, and at home - play an important role in promoting healthy eating and activity habits that in turn help prevent childhood obesity.

Here are five ways you can help your children eat healthy and stay active.
Take Five_1
Nurture healthy eaters.  Use a positive tone and share your enthusiasm for healthy eating . Take your child to the grocery store to experience the joy of discovering new, healthy foods. When appropriate, have them smell, taste and handle food as you work together to prepare a healthy meal or snack . 
 
Take Five_2
Keep them hydrated with healthy choices.   Beverage options can either nourish your child's body or not. Help children recognize when they are thirsty and limit their consumption of juice and sugary drinks. Water is the best choice, so keep it available throughout the day to quench their thirst. 
 
Take Five_3
Get them moving.  Physical activity helps your child build confidence, develop strong bones, and get a restful sleep. It also curbs depression, reduces anxiety, and helps children maintain a healthy weight. Start with "tummy time" when they are infants and add age appropriate games and large motor activities as they grow. Opt for outdoor play as often as possible. 
Take Five_4
Limit screen time. Watching TV and playing on electronic devices cuts into your child's active play time and their interactions with the world around them . Children  2 years of age and younger should have no screen time. Screen time for children over 2 should be limited to 30 minutes or less.
Take Five_5
Support breastfeeding.  Mother's milk provides nutrition, protects a child from infections, and helps infants thrive. Breastfeeding also helps mom and baby bond and can save a family over $1500 per year in formula costs. Keep in mind that breastfeeding isn't for everyone and that a baby's nutritional needs and emotional bonding can be met by feeding formula as well.
Q.  My preschool age child always want to watch a movie or play on my phone. What are some other ways I can keep him busy ?
 
A. Step one is to set a good example. If your child sees you reading a book or going for a walk instead of watching TV, they will copy what you do. 
Next time they reach for the TV remote or your phone, suggest other options such as playing outside, dancing to some fun music, building with legos, reading a book or working on a puzzle together. A screen time scheduling sheet is another way to help older children think beyond the screen. 

Do you have a question or a topic you'd like us to explore? Contact Parent Services at
[email protected] or call 800-997-8515

Let's Get Moving and Eat Healthy!
The Best Practice Guide to Active Play for Early Childhood is packed with activity ideas and tips to get children moving and having fun.

The Best Practice Guide to Heathly Eating for Early Childhood offers tips and recipes to help children try new foods and make healthy food choices.

Choosing and Using Quality Child Care
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