American Association for the Child's Right to Play (IPA/USA) - An association aimed at protecting, preserving, and promoting play as a fundamental right for all humans.
American Heart Association - The AHA is a national association dedicated to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Check out the Children's Health and Healthy Lifestyles sections.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Provides expertise, information and tools for people and communities in order to protect health.
Choosy Kids - A company created with an initiative to promote the development of healthy preferences by providing products and services promoting healthy decisions making and healthy, active lifestyles.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on public policy, science, and management.
Eat Smart Move More (ESMM) - A statewide movement that provided increased opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity wherever people live, learn, earn, play and pray.
Health Kids, Healthy Future - A focus on physical activity, screen time, food, beverages and breastfeeding from infancy through preschool (Formally known as Let's Move Childcare).
KidsHealth - A website providing doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. Created by the Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media.
NAP SACC - Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care is a statewide program aimed at improving the eating and physical activity environment in NC child care centers.
PBS Parents - This is a link to the Child Development section of the PBS Parents website. Try out the Child Development Tracker.
Child and Youth Health - The Child, Youth and Women's Health Services site provides a wealth of resources and practical health information for parents, careers and you people.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
SHAPE America (formerly AAHPERD) - The Society of Health and Physical Educators is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports creative and healthy lifestyles.
Fitness.gov - Provides health, physical activity, fitness and sports information for the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
NCAAHPERD - The North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of research and education within these fields.
PE Central - A website for health and physical education teachers, parents, and students that provides the latest information about developmentally appropriate physical education.
SPARK - This is a link to an early childhood physical activity program for Sports, Play & Active Recreation for Kids.
Active for Life - Active for Life helps parents raise physically literate kids. At ActiveforLife.com, parents, educators and coaches will find fun activities, engaging articles and resources to get kids active, healthy and happy.
NUTRITION
American Dietetic Association - The world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.
Fruits and Veggie - More Matters - A dynamic health initiative that replaces the existing 5 A Day awareness program to inspire and support consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables.
Farmers Markets - A site of the USDA providing you with information about farmers markets and allows you to search for local farmers markets in your area.
ChooseMyPlate.gov - ChooseMyPlate.gov offers personalized eating plans, interactive tools to help you plan and assess your food choices, and advice to help you with your nutrition and physical activity needs.
Nutrition.gov - A service of the National Agricultural Library, USDA.
NATURE/OUTDOOR LEARNING
Children & Nature Network - Created to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature.
Nature Rocks - a national program to inspire and empower families to play and explore in nature.
KidsGardening.org - Useful information for parents and teachers about getting children engaged in gardening. Kids Gardening is a part of the National Gardening Association.
Natural Learning Initiative - The Natural Learning Initiative is a Research and Design Assistance Program of the College of Design at North Carolina State University.
Preschool Outdoor Environments Measurement Scale (POEMS) - A useful tool in determining the quality of the outdoor environment for child care centers. The site also provides information on outdoor play.
PLAY
North Carolina Children and Nature Coalition (NCCAN!)
International Play Association