ThismaterialisbaseduponworksupportedbytheNationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture,U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,andtheOfficeofFamilyPolicy,ChildrenandYouth,U.S.DepartmentofDefenseunderAwardNo.2010-48709-21867

developedincollaborationwithTheClearinghouseforMilitaryFamilyReadinessatPennStateUniversity.5210HealthyChildrenisadaptedfromLet’sGo!www.letsgo.org.

ormore servingsoffruitsandvegetables

• Intheclassroom, usefruit- andvegetable-basedactivitiestohelpmeetstandardsincoresubjectslikemath,science,andlanguagearts– trackdailyservings,setgoals,conducttaste-tests,practicesimplerecipesandassembleacookbook!

• In thecafeteria,placethemostnutrient-denseentreesaheadofotherentrees,givevegetabledishescreativenameslike“X-RayVisionCarrots”,displaywholefruitwithcontrastingcolorsinattractivebowls,andpromptstudentstotakeapieceoffruitwiththeirlunch.

• Start aschoolgardenwherechildrencanexperiencehowfruitsandvegetablesgrowandtaste!

Fruitsandvegetablescanprovidechildrenwithalotofnutrients,water,fiber,andphytochemicalsthathelppreventdiseasesandkeeptheirbodieshealthy.Therearemanyschool-basedprogramsdesignedtoincreasestudentfruitandvegetableconsumption– contacttheClearinghouseforMilitaryFamilyReadinessat1-877-382-9185toidentifyprogramstomeetyourneeds!

orfewerhoursofrecreationalscreentime++reviewguidelinesonparentingstrategiestoencouragequalityscreentime(AAP,2015)

• Promote nationalScreen-FreeWeek,usuallyinearlyMay,asaschoolevent.Seewww.screenfree.org fordetails.

• Work tofosterchildren’sloveformusicanddancing,reading,makingart,exploringtheoutdoors,interactingwithothers,buildingandcreating,andimagining.

• Help educateparentsabouthealthyscreentimehabits– likeremovingtelevisionsfrombedrooms,turningoffmediaduringmealtimes,andsettingandenforcinglimits.

Recreational screentimeisfreetimespentinfrontofscreens– liketelevisions,videogames,andtheInternet.Itispossibletogetenoughphysicalactivityandstillengageinanunhealthyamountofscreentime.

ormorehoursofphysical activity

• Give childrentimetoplayoutsideduringtheschooldayineveryseason!Provideaccesstoplaygrounds,grassfields,andportableequipmentlikeballs.

• Replace food-relatedfundraiserslikesellingcookiedoughwithactivefundraiserslikewalk-a-thons.

• Examine thephysicaleducationcurriculumandmakeimprovementstoensurethatchildrenspendasmuchtimeaspossiblebeingactiveandnotwaitinginlines.

Childrenlovetoplay,andactiveplaytimeisimportantforlotsofreasons:itgiveschildrenopportunitiestomovetheirbodies,usetheirimagination,practiceproblemsolving,andengageinsocialinteractionsthatpromoteself-awarenessandempathy.Plus,itincreasesphysicalfitness!

sweetenedbeverages

• Ensure easyaccesstofreedrinkingwaterthatisdesirabletodrink.Checkthefountainsandcleanorreplacethemifnecessary.Consideraddinghydrationstationsandprovidingstudentswithreusablewaterbottlestofillatthestations.

• Make waterthenormforquenchingthirst– drinkwaterwhenyouarethirsty,andofferwatertothirstychildren.

• Opt nottosellflavoredmilk,whichhasaddedsugar.Or,placewhitemilkinfrontofflavoredmilkinthelunchcooler.

Itisimportanttodrinkfluidstostayhealthy,butsweetenedbeveragesaddextrasugarandcaloriestothediet.Theonlysweetenedbeverageallowedforsaletoelementaryschoolstudents,accordingtoUSDAregulationsupdatedJune2013,isflavorednonfatmilk.

ContacttheClearinghouseforMilitaryFamilyReadinessat1-877-382-9185orwww.militaryfamilies.psu.edu forhelpIdentifyingschool-basedprogramstargetingnutrition,physicalactivity,andscreentime!