2nd Quarter Newsletter - 2019

It isn't just warm outside, it is hot! With the heat comes plenty of hours for playing outside and water fun for all. Check out some of the great ideas and activities Glide and his clubhouse friends have for staying healthy and cool this summer. Glide loves to get children, families, and providers moving more. 

Stay cool and be sun safe this summer by:

  • Get moving when the sun is not at its hottest, avoid the hours                   between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
  • Play in shaded areas when possible
  • Wear sunscreen
  • Wear sunglasses and sun safe clothing
  • Keep play time to a reasonable length
  • Enjoy activities that help you stay cool

Share the Be Active Kids handout "50 Ways to Cool Off" to help       children and families beat the heat this spring and summer! 

 

Just like most dogs, Dart loves to eat, but don’t we all. Check out his dish on nutrition and healthy eating as he gives tips for healthy eating and one of his favorite kid friendly recipes.

It is the time of year when there are tons of fresh fruits and vegetables available in stores and at the farmers market. From cucumbers, to cantaloupe, to lettuce, to corn, there are plenty of great foods available in all different colors, shapes, and sizes.

Dart wants you to take advantage of the goodness of the season by trying some of the seasonal fruits and vegetables. Take a few cucumbers in your lunch or have them in a salad.  Switch out your dessert for some sweet cantaloupe or use some fresh corn in a colorful corn salad. 

 

Swing searches near and far to find great resources and tools to share to improve health and well-being. During her latest adventures Swing has foundthe Move Your Way Campaign from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The goal of this campaign is to help people live healthier lives through increased physical activity. The campaign is for everyone and offers fact sheets, posters, videos, interactive tools, as well as web badges and widgets. The Move Your Way Campaign is a great resource to share with others! 

Be sure to post the ways you "Move Your Way" in our social media campaign, Be Active with Blue. Read below or on our website for additional information.

 

In the NEWS...............

The 2019 Early Childhood Physical Activity Institute (ECPAI) was a huge success. Our opening session featuring Peter Gray, Tanya Dennis, Eric Drollette, and Judy Fowler gave over 70 participants the knowledge of the importance of play on mental health. Attendees were able to dig deeper on this subject in small groups during our afternoon sessions that really honed in on the meaning of play and how to increase play with younger kids.

Twenty candidates, the most ever to be accepted into the institute, continued ECPAI with two jam packed days with Dr. Diane Craft and Rich Rairigh. Topics covered over these days included defining physical activity, play, motor skills, movement concepts, active role modeling, planning for physical activity, managing an active environment, using appropriate equipment and loose parts, observing and assessing movement, and more. Additionally, all participants actively engaged in the play and learning experiences using various instructional methods and interacting with young children and peers.

We look forward to seeing what each of our attendees and candidates does with the knowledge gained during the institute!

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