April Blog_2020

Blue's Blog April 2020

#bluesblog

April 1, 2020 - pdf version

 

Hey Friends!   It is April and things are getting pretty warm here in North Carolina.   Although we are all adjusting to a new way of life, it’s important for us to stay healthy and safe.  We can do this in so many ways.  Here are just a few: 1) washing our hands, 2) practicing social distancing, 3) staying informed by viewing latest government information and recommendation, and 4) continuing to eat healthy and get physical activity.  Check out the image to the right for a few more tips on preventing COVID-19.  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues we encourage you to stay positive, benefit from this extra time with our families, and stop to listen to the bird’s chirp.  For more information on the topic of Social Distancing from our friend Dr. Audrey Veach click here.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Be Active Kids will be posting more diverse resources throughout our social media platforms for all age children and families, as we navigate this time together.  Additionally, we have created a weekly e-mail that will be sent out to everyone in our network that will provide fun activities, learning ideas, and healthy eating habits.   Here a few that you may have missed:  Cornovirus Smash, and Virus Knockout. We know we can get through this difficult time together.  For more information on how to stay connected, contact us at info@beactivekids.org or call 919-287-7012.

 

In April we celebrate The Week of the Young Child™ (April 11 – 17).  To learn more about the Week of the Young Child, we reached out to Lori Barnes, Executive Director of the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (NCAEYC).  Lori told us that “WOYC is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).   The purpose of the Week of the Young Child™ is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.” 

The Week of the Young Child™ was first started in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) are the foundation for children's success in school and later life. It is a week to acknowledge that there is no time like the present to plan how the community, cities, counties, states, etc. will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

To navigate the 2020 Week of the Young Child, the NCAEYC has created a tool kit.  This toolkit gives fun ideas to make it a week all the children will remember.  My friends and I want to remind you that physical activity can be included in everything you do during WOYC and beyond.  We hope you will check out The Be Active Kids Week of the Young Child flyer to integrate movement into each day of the week.  Though the 2020 Week of the Young Child celebration may be different this year, we challenge you to celebrate this week as best as possible and share with us how you made it fun and active!

 

With all that is going on in the world, I need your help if finding a new Be Active Kids Clubhouse Team Member.  If you are feeling a little bored or just want to show off your creativity, then this challenge is for you.  As the Be Active Kids Clubhouse team leader, I was hoping you could help create a brand new character to join Glide, Swing, Dart, Leap, and myself in our efforts to improve the health of young children. Want more details about the Character Art Challenge? My firends at Be Active Kids will select a weekly finalist from all submissions each week.  Each weekly finalist will receive a Be Active Kids water bottle, jump rope, stickers, and tattoos.  Together, we will select an overall winner on May 22nd who will receive a Be Active Kids play package.  Click here for an entry form.

 

My friends and I know that many of our friends are doing school online, but we want to challenge you to limit your screen time and find ways to be active inside and out.  Share your active, screen free pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by using #beactiveblue, #caughtbeingactive, and @beactivekids.

 

Stay active and healthy! See you in May.

 

 

Blue the Caring Cub

Testimonials

  • Preservice Teachers Learn to Use Be Active Kids in Limited Spaces

    I really enjoyed our class meeting. It was interesting to discover that you can do just about anything with children in the classroom where there may not be much space to encourage them to be active.  A change that I will make in my own life is to be more active, as well as my daughter. I will share this information with my friends that have children such as yoga animals, or Simon Says.

    Cathy Sesta, Parent & Child Care Provider
  • Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute

    Thank you for inviting me to be part of this year’s Institute. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the experience. You’re doing amazing work and I hope I’ll be able to continue contributing to it a bunch in the future.

    Rae Pica, www.movingandlearning.com
  • Plenty of Resources That I Can Use and Share

    This class was informative, and I look forward to being physically active with young children. On Friday, I volunteered at a Parents Night Out through my daughter's school. When I got there the kids were watching a movie. I got them up to play Simon Says and Red Light Green Light, however, after that I was stuck on what to do. I wish I had the knowledge I gained from this class, to have made it more exciting.

    I enjoyed your Land and Lake Activity.

    Venessa Wright, Parent & Child Care Provider
  • Be Active Kids Trainers Rock!

    I loved the training.  I would have loved it more if I had the other teachers from my center there also.  I am really looking forward to taking my kit to work and sharing it with my staff.  I liked Brittney, she reminded me of myself as far as being very active and motivated.  When I am at work with my little ones we stay busy all day.  I feel like singing my instructions and dancing my actions helps them to focus better on what I need for them to do.  Britney was great and I learned a lot from her. I am always trying to find new little ways to get the kids moving.

    Tiffany Daniel, Sandhill Community College
  • ECPAI

    The Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute was just wonderful!  Thank you again for including me in such an important effort to create and sustain leaders in EC physical activity. I would love to return to NC anytime that you think I can help. I enjoyed meeting the folks who work with you and hearing about all of the great things that are planned. 

    Linda Carson, Choosy Kids
  • Be Active Kids has Much to Offer

    Congratulations to you and everyone who has been promoting PA for young
    children in NC. You have much to be proud of here. Be Active Kids is an excellent source of ideas for promoting active play in unstructured settings. The Be Active Kids website also has resources on promoting unstructured active play. I encourage folks to review these resources. 

    Diane Craft, SUNY Cortland & Active Play Books