Healthy Bodies

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Today’s busy families often sacrifice sleep, exercise, and a healthy balanced diet because of the multiple commitments to work and the many facets of family life. Families are partners in this area of the science curriculum since they set the stage for their children’s healthy development. Every day is filled with opportunities to foster healthy development. A child’s bad cold can be turned into a chance to learn science. Parents can read simple books on how diseases are passed from person to person. This sets the stage for the enforcing of simple rules such as regular teeth brushing and hand washing. These routines become hassle free when children practice them early at home.

Or parents can teach some ways to stay healthy such as not sharing forks, spoons, or glasses, and covering our nose and mouth when we sneeze or cough. There are many fine cookbooks with simple healthy recipes that parents and children can try together. The book Everyone Cooks Rice by N. Dooley not only may provide a shared experience, but conveys positive images of other cultures to children. A pictorial food pyramid can hang on the refrigerator as a reminder of foods that children should sample often and others that we save for special occasions because, although they may be pleasant to eat, they don’t help us grow well, strong, and healthy. The new MyPyramid for Kids says “Fats and sugars—know your limits.” Parents may give children a role in planning a weekly menu.

Because of the concern about childhood obesity, in 2005 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created new dietary guidelines to provide more practical advice on how parents can give their children a healthy, balanced diet. The new guidelines include 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily. Parents can participate with their children for a healthier family.

A regular trip to the food store will allow children to pick from the various food groups. For older children, bags may be labeled ahead so that children can select the foods themselves and place them into the containers. Within a food group, there are always favorites.

Finally, families can encourage children to feel good about their bodies and body image. Children’s growth may be charted on an unobtrusive wall or chart paper. Parents can and should encourage their children to view themselves and their feelings in a positive light.