RECHARGE Activity Guide

fitCare

RECHARGE Activity Guide

fitCare, written by Sanford Health. Permission given to the State of South Dakota to use for the fitCare Best Practice collaboration project between the South Dakota Department of Health, the South Dakota Department of Social Services Division of Child Care Services, Sanford Children’s and the Sanford fit Initiative. 2011; Revised 2014. Revised ©2015 Sanford Health. All rights reserved. sanfordfit.org

RECHARGE Activity Guide 1

Table of Contents

Page # Activity Guide Introduction 2 Review of fit and RECHARGE 3 RECHARGE Web Resources 6 RECHARGE Activities for Circle Time 7 RECHARGE Activities for the Book Area 9 RECHARGE Activities for the Quiet Area 9 RECHARGE Activities for the Art Area 10 Games to teach kids about RECHARGE 11 RECHARGE Awards 13 RECHARGE Take Home Tools for Parents 14



fitCare RECHARGE Activity Guide Introduction The fitCare RECHARGE Activity guide provides caregivers with activities to help children learn about fit and RECHARGE. This fitCare RECHARGE Activity Guide provides

• Activities and ideas to extend fit learning opportunities within the child care setting. The activities can be used to assist in developing lesson plans. o Activities provided can be used to incorporate fit concepts

and learning into the child care daily schedule, routines and learning areas, such as circle time, book center, art, free play games, and snack time.

• Awards to encourage children’s healthy lifestyle habits.

• Materials for parents. Incorporating fit into the activities – making the fit connection

The fitCare RECHARGE activities introduce and reinforce children’s understanding that being fit is about making healthy choices for our body and mind. Key points are provided after each activity to help caregivers emphasize the main teaching points.

The teaching points after each activity include:

• RECHARGE Point: This teaching point emphasizes how the body and mind need sleep, rest and relaxation to have the energy to make healthy choices.

• fit Connection: This teaching point connects RECHARGE to being fit and the other fit factors. This point emphasizes how one’s RECHARGE (energy level) influences ones’ FOOD and MOVE choices.



Review of fit and RECHARGEReview of fit and RECHARGE

• fit is a behavior theory that combines behavior change and choice theories. fit brings a conscious awareness of why, what, and how we make healthy lifestyle choices (food and physical activity choices).

• fit acknowledges the importance of how emotions and energy influence our decision making process and choices, such

as what to eat or whether or not to move. • fit recognizes that the balance between nutrition and physical activity is at the core of achieving and maintaining a

healthy lifestyle. o Being fit is not just about what you eat and drink or how you move. Being fit is about having the right mindset and

enough energy to be able to choose healthy foods and to be active.

• fit connects four key factors to having a healthy body and healthy weight. o MOOD – Motivate Your MOOD o RECHARGE – RECHARGE Your Energy o FOOD – Think Your FOOD o MOVE – MOVE your Body

• fit recognizes that our MOOD and RECHARGE influence our FOOD

and MOVE choices.

• fit challenges us to turn our MOOD around to make a fit choice. o Turn “I won’t think about my food choices” to “I will think about

my food choices.” o Turn “I am not going to exercise today” to “I am going to exercise

today.”

• fit recognizes how all four fit factors are interconnected. o MOOD and RECHARGE impact FOOD choices: Eating while bored Eating to feel better Eating when tired

o MOOD and RECHARGE impacts the desire to MOVE: “I don’t feel like exercising right now.” “I am too tired to exercise.”

o We need healthy FOODs to have energy to MOVE. o MOVE impacts utilization of FOOD consumed. o MOVE can give us RECHARGE. When we MOVE we can re-boost our energy levels.

• fit is about making healthy lifestyle choices. fit approaches obesity

prevention different than many other programs. Programs commonly focus on FOOD and MOVE. fit focuses on how MOOD and RECHARGE influence our FOOD and MOVE choices.



RECHARGE

RECHARGE is about having the energy to make healthy choices. There are two ways to RECHARGE your energy: • Restore: Sleep

o Sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. • Refresh: Rest and Relax

o Rest and relaxation help maintain good energy levels throughout the day.

RECHARGE is necessary for every day functioning. Children need sleep and rest for their overall health. Getting sleep has a direct influence on healthy physical and cognitive development. When one is rested and relaxed, it is easier to make healthy choices.

RECHARGE impacts • Your energy to MOVE your body. • Your energy to motivate to manage your MOOD. • Your energy to think your FOOD and drink choices.



Key points to teach children about RECHARGE:• You need energy to think, move and grow.

• Just like a battery, we need to RECHARGE to get energy.

• It is important for you to get your rest so you have energy to play

and grow. • You can RECHARGE by:

o Getting sleep o Resting and relaxing

• fit kids get a good night’s sleep to RECHARGE and play the next day. o We have more energy to MOVE (MOVE connection).

• fit kids rest during the day.

o Naps Naps help our bodies get energy to play and grow. Naps help give our brains energy to think.

• fit ways to relax during the day

o Learn how to relax without TV. What can you do to relax besides watch TV? Read a book Put a puzzle together Draw a picture – Draw a picture of you resting



RECHARGE Web Resources National Sleep Foundation http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep fit- Junior http://fit.webmd.com/jr/default.htm

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/default.htm



RECHARGE Activities RECHARGE at Circle Time

Pretend You’re in a Perfect Place Activity Goal: Help children learn what to do to relieve stress and handle feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, and fatigue. You can help them learn to relax and manage their emotions with techniques like this guided imagery.

What can you do when you feel sad or mad? What can make you feel better? You can relax. Relaxing is sitting quietly. Relaxing helps our body and mind feel better.

To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/article/perfect-place-activity RECHARGE Point: Relaxing helps give us energy to make healthy choices.

fit Connection: Learning how to relieve stress and deal with feelings helps children make healthier choices.

Belly Breathing Activity Goal: This exercise is an easy technique children can use to help relieve stress.

How do you make stress go away? Here is one thing you can do when you feel stressed. You can try belly breathing. Belly breathing is when you take deep breaths. You breathe so deep that you feel it in your belly. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/article/belly-breathing-activity RECHARGE Point: Deep breathing is one way to RECHARGE.

fit Connection: Learning how to relax helps children have energy to turn their MOOD around to make healthy choices like “I will eat an apple instead of candy.”

Help the FIT Friends Relax Activity Goal: Help kids learn alternative ways to rest and relax.

What can you do to feel better when you get mad or feel bad? You can relax to feel better. Help the fit Friends relax by playing this game.

To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-help-fit-friends-relax-game

RECHARGE Point: Just like a battery needs to RECHARGE to get energy, you do too. There are many ways to RECHARGE in your day.

fit Connection: When you RECHARGE you have energy to MOVE.

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/article/belly-breathing-activity

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-help-fit-friends-relax-game

http://www.shutterstock.com/subscribe.mhtml




I Relaxed Without TV Chart Activity Goal: Teach children there are alternative ways to rest and relax other than TV.

Sometimes your body needs to rest and relax to RECHARGE. Sometimes your brain needs to rest and relax. Some people watch TV to rest and relax, but watching too much TV is not healthy. Watching TV makes it hard for your brain to rest and relax so your body can be recharged. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-relax-without-tv-chart

RECHARGE Point: Find other ways to RECHARGE besides watching television.

fit Connection: Don’t just sit there. MOVE your body to boost your energy.

I Want to Be a Healthy Kid-RECHARGE Activity Goal: Encourage children to choose healthy ways to rest and relax. There are many healthy ways to rest and relax. Resting helps your body have energy to grow and gives you energy to play. Choose healthy ways for you to rest and relax. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-my-fit-recharge-book RECHARGE Point: There are many fit ways to RECHARGE in your day. Naps help our bodies get energy to play and grow and help give our brains energy to think.

fit Connection: When I choose to take care of myself by relaxing, I am choosing to be healthy.

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-relax-without-tv-chart

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-my-fit-recharge-book



RECHARGE in the Book Area

Time to Sleep Alfie Bear

By Catherine Walters

“The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters and Kids”

By Edward Mess

Time for Bed

By: Audrey Wood The Napping House

By: Mem Fox RECHARGE Point: Looking at a book is a great way to relax. fit Connection: When we rest and relax we can make healthier choices.

RECHARGE in the Quiet Area

Make a Comfy Place Activity Goal: Help children make a quiet, private, and safe space they can retreat to when they need to rest and relax. Children can call this space their “comfy place.” Encourage children to go to this comfy place when they need some quiet time or are overwhelmed. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/mood/article/comfy-place-activity RECHARGE Point: Sometimes during the day when you are mad or angry you need a special place to relax. Relaxing can help your body get energy to feel better.

fit Connection: When you take time to relax you will have more energy to MOVE and play.

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/mood/article/comfy-place-activity

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/time-to-sleep-alfie-bear-catherine-walters/1005733651

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-monster-health-book-edward-miller/1007288482




RECHARGE Activities for the Art Area

Eat a Fruit Rainbow Activity Goal: This game will encourage children to choose to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Kids need to eat a lot of colorful fruits and veggies every day. Eating fruits and veggies with varying colors helps children grow and stay healthy. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/food/article/food-rainbow-activity RECHARGE Point: Sitting quietly and doing an activity is one way to rest and relax.

fit Connection: When we are rested, we can make better FOOD choices.

Make a Good Mood Book Activity Goal: Remind children that it is okay to have all types of feelings -- happy, sad, and mad. Help children learn there are many ways to respond to feelings, some ways are healthier for us than others. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/mood/article/good-mood-book-activity RECHARGE Point: Sitting quietly and doing an activity is one way to rest.

fit Connection: Resting gives us energy to MOVE and think. It is easier to talk ourselves into making healthy choices when we have energy to think.

Make a Move Jar Activity Goal: This activity will help children get excited about moving and being more active by letting them create and decorate a “Move Jar”. Allow each child to make their own Move Jar and allow children to decorate the outside of the jar. Have each child think of ways they like to MOVE. Children can put those ideas into the jar. Next time children need to move, they have their very own MOVE jar! To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/move/article/move-jar-activity RECHARGE Point: Getting up and moving can give us energy.

fit Connection: When we MOVE our bodies, we give our brain energy to think.

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/move/article/move-jar-activity





Games to Teach Kids about RECHARGE

Healthy Me Game Activity Goal: This game will help children understand that in order to be healthy they need to eat healthy FOODs and MOVE.

As children play this game, talk about choosing healthy habits. RECHARGE Point: Playing games is one way to relax and get energy.

fit Connection: Make fit choices in your day to be a fit kid. Move your body, choose healthy foods and rest and relax every day.

Relax with a “Take a Break Basket” Activity Goal: Help children understand that their minds and bodies need to rest.

Sometimes you need to stop playing and rest. When you relax, you are quiet, you sit still, and you are calm. When you relax, you are giving body and your brain a rest.

To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/article/take-a-break-basket-activity RECHARGE Point: RECHARGE gives you energy for your body and brain.

fit Connection: Being rested and relaxed makes it easier to make healthy choices, eat healthy FOODs, and MOVE your body.

Sing About Feelings Activity Goal: Teach children that singing is a healthy way to turn their MOOD around. Does singing make you feel happy? You can sing when you are happy, sad, or mad. Singing can help you turn your MOOD around and feel better. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/mood/article/feelings-song-activity RECHARGE Point: Music is a way to RECHARGE our minds.

fit Connection: Singing can help give us energy to turn our MOOD around and feel better.





The Chicken Stretch Activity Goal: Help children understand that their bodies need to rest and relax. Stretching helps relax their bodies. When your body rests, you get the energy you need to play. Relaxing is a way to rest. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/article/chicken-stretch-activity

RECHARGE Point: Stretching is one way to relax.

fit Connection: Stretching warms our body up to MOVE throughout our day.

The “I Can’t Fall Asleep” Game Activity Goal: Help children get to sleep at nap time. Teach children that they need sleep to stay healthy. Sometimes you can't fall asleep when it's time for bed. What can you do to get sleepy? Learn some simple ways to make falling asleep easier. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/article/falling-asleep-activity

RECHARGE Point: It is important to get rest to have energy to play and grow.

fit Connection: When we get our sleep, we have energy to MOVE and make healthy FOOD choices.

RECHARGE Awards

I Rested to Feel Better Today Award Award Goal: Encourage children to rest and relax when they feel tired.

When children rest when they are tired, give them the “I Rested to Feel Better Today” Award. To download and/or print this award use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/mood/pdf/pdf-rested-to-feel-better-awards

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/article/chicken-stretch-activity

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/mood/pdf/pdf-rested-to-feel-better-awards





Rest and Relaxing without TV Award Award Goal: Encourage children to rest their bodies in other ways than watching TV. When children rest or relax without watching TV, give them the “Rest and Relaxing without TV” Award.

To download and/or print this award use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-rested-without-tv-award

I Read or Listened to Music Award Award Goal: When children are sad or mad, reading or listening to music can help them manage their MOOD in a healthy way.

When children listen to music or read when they are sad or mad, give them the “I Read or Listened to Music” Award. To download and/or print this award use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/mood/pdf/pdf-read-listened-to-music-awards

I Moved Instead of Watching TV Award Award Goal: Encourage children to MOVE their bodies instead of sitting and watching TV. After a child chooses to be physically active instead of watching TV give the child a “I Moved Instead of Watching TV” Award. Caregivers can also distribute this award if they see a child reduce their screen time and move and encourage parents to use these awards at home. To download and/or print this award use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/move/pdf/pdf-moved-instead-of-watching-tv-award

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-rested-without-tv-award

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/move/pdf/pdf-moved-instead-of-watching-tv-award

http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/sponsored_programs/fit-initiative/printables/fit_i_read_or_listened_award.pdf



RECHARGE Take Home Tools for Parents

Get Ready for Bed Game Activity Goal: Help children make their own bedtime plan. How can you be healthy and help your body sleep? Get ready for bed every night by making your very own bedtime plan. You get to choose what you do before bed each night. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-get-ready-for-bed-game RECHARGE Point: We need to sleep to RECHARGE our body and mind. It is easier to get to sleep when we do the same thing every night.

fit Connection: Sleep gives us energy to MOVE our bodies and turn our MOODs around to feel better. It is easier to be a fit kid and make fit choices when we get our sleep.

I Went to Bed! Chart Activity Goal: Encourage children to develop a bedtime routine. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-went-to-bed-chart RECHARGE Point: Children go to sleep easier if they have a bedtime routine.

fit Connection: When children get the recommended amount of sleep each night, they have energy to think, play, move, and grow.

I Relaxed Without TV Chart Activity Goal: Teach children there are alternative ways to rest and relax other than TV.

We need to rest and relax throughout the day to give our body energy to MOVE and our mind energy to think. Some people watch TV to rest and relax, but watching too much TV is not a healthy RECHARGE choice. Watching TV can make it hard for your brain to rest and relax, so your body cannot get RECHARGED. To download and/or print this activity use the following link: http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-relax-without-tv-chart

RECHARGE Point: Find other ways to rest and relax besides watching television.

fit Connection: Don’t just sit there. Get up and MOVE to RECHARGE your energy.

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-get-ready-for-bed-game

http://fit.webmd.com/jr/recharge/pdf/pdf-went-to-bed-chart

Documents

RECHARGE Activity Guide