Raising Healthy Kids
November Newsletter & More

Click here to view the November Growing Up Healthy and Active newsletter.

Tips for Raising Heart-Healthy, Active Children

Adults aren’t the only ones at risk for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases; increasingly, kids are at risk too. That is why the American Heart Association is working to help kids and families live heart-healthy lives.

• Help your children develop good physical activity habits at an early age by setting a good example yourself. Practice heart-healthy habits.
• Plan family outings and vacations that involve vigorous activities such as hiking, bicycling, skiing, swimming, etc.
• Give your children some household chores that require physical exertion, keeping in mind their levels of strength, coordination and maturity.  Mowing lawns, raking leaves, scrubbing floors and taking out the garbage not only teach responsibility but can be good exercise.
• Choose fitness-oriented gifts -- a jump rope, mini-trampoline, tennis racket, baseball bat, a youth membership at the local YMCA or YWCA.  Select the gift with your child's skills and interests in mind.
• Stay involved in your child's physical education classes at school.  At daycare, make sure the kids exercise at least 20 minutes a day.  Ask about frequency of classes and activity, class size, curriculum (instruction in lifetime fitness activities as well as team sports should be emphasized), physical fitness assessments, qualifications of the teacher (should hold appropriate certification in physical education and be an appropriate role model for students).  Physical fitness should be measured at the beginning and end of each year, and goals should be established for each child.  Encourage your school board to emphasize skills students can use for the rest of their lives.