Parent Resources

Physical activity is vital for a child’s development and lays the foundation for a healthy and active life. Early childhood services and nutrition are ideally placed to foster the development of good physical activity habits early in life. Healthy eating can help children maintain a healthy weight, avoid certain health problems, stabilize their energy, and sharpen their minds. A healthy diet can also have a profound effect on a child’s sense of mental and emotional well being.


Set Family Fitness Goals

  • Post goals on the fridge, along with a way to track everyone’s progress. Cheer each other on as you achieve your goals—and maybe even offer some non-food prizes!

  • Buy inexpensive pedometers or use your personal health trackers and have a contest to see who takes the most steps in a given week.

  • The season for charity walks and runs! Train as a family for a 5K or 10K, and cook or go out for a nourishing breakfast afterward to celebrate your accomplishment.


Get into a routine

  • Walk or bike to school together, if your schedules allow.

  • Take a family walk around the block or neighborhood after dinner.

  • Play upbeat music and dance your way through family chores.


Screen Your Screen Time

We’re all prone to the lure of the screen, whether it’s the TV, cell phone, computer or other personal devices. But whenever you can, get your kids to ditch the screens and use those minutes and hours to hang out, get moving and recharge together as a family.

  • Challenge your kids to sign up for some form of physical activity through school or a local program. Everyone can find something they enjoy.

  • Limit sedentary screen time (computers, tablets, phones, video games, TV) to no more than two hours per day.

  • Challenge your family to skip the screen for a full week. Screen-Free Weekends, Screen-Free Saturdays, or even a Screen-Free Night.


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