Healthy Kids Challenge

Welcome to Wednesday WOWS! November 15, 2006
W-wonderful O-opportunities W-with S-schools

....Easy HEAR, SEE, DO action tips each week

HEAR >>>> Provide a message to increase awareness of knowledge/skills
SEE   >>>> Show people HOW to make healthy changes
DO    >>>> Help people practice and make healthy changes


The WOWS Message:  Get Moving with Fun Walking Programs

< HEAR >

In some regions, winter may pose a problem for outdoor active play at school. However, walking can be done inside or outside, and if linked with a classroom or school-wide walking program, enthusiasm for it can build! Consider starting a walking program indoors now and move outdoors in the spring. Choose one or all of the ideas below and GET MOVING!

< SEE >

Consider different types of walking programs to kickoff at your school or program. Check out Web sites or talk with others to see what might be possible. Below are a few Web sites that might give ideas and guidance to beginning a program.
< DO >
  1. Walking Club for Staff and Kids: First determine if there is an interest by posting a sign-up sheet in the teacher's lounge, sending out E-mails, and talking about it at KidLink meetings.
    1. Set up a walking meeting to discuss times, days, and locations to walk.
    2. Talk with administration about marking walking distances in the school hallways and on the playground. Post the distance information around the school.
    3. Once established, invite kids to join the group. Entice the kids to attend by having a chat session while walking. Discuss the latest "Junie B. Jones" book or a topic like Rocketry. Have select guests walk with the group, like the principal, science or music teachers and let kids ask questions of them to promote communication with staff.
  2. Walking Fundraiser: As a class, grade level or whole school, choose to participate in a national walking fundraiser for a worthy organization such as School Walk for Diabetes or MS Walk. Consider organizing your own walking fundraiser for a local charity or food bank and have the kids participate.
    1. In the classroom, provide kids with information about "School Walk for Diabetes", "MS Walk", or others you may choose, and have the kids vote for a favorite.
    2. Ask the P.E. teacher to organize a "training program" of graduated walking distances to build up endurance for the day of the event. Encourage kids to use the training program after school.
  3. "Walk Across..." Program: As a class, grade level or school, use a "Walk Across [Your Town, State, Country or World]" format to stimulate interest; provide consistent physical activity and an educational opportunity for social studies and science.
    1. Determine what to "Walk Across".
    2. Set the scale to use for distances.
    3. Determine how to keep track of mileage walked such as an individual or classroom log book.
    4. Make a map representing the town, state, country or world to walk across and display.
    5. Set goals and provide incentives, like increased recess time or an active play game in the classroom, when a certain destination or amount or mileage is reached.
    6. In the classroom, discuss the geography that kids are "walking across", the plants and animals that might be seen and weather changes.
    7. Get the principal, P.E. teacher, and other KidLinks to role model by joining in with the walking program.
    8. Encourage group walking inside or out by leading kids during recesses and breaks.

Walking Program Incentives
HKC has wellness oriented bookmarks and t-shirts to use as incentives. Take a look at http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/ordermaterials.php .


<><><> HEAR_SEE_DO Tips for Newsletters <><><>

Cut and paste a HEAR_SEE_DO tip each week into your own parent newsletters!

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Winter Walking
As a family, choose to walk at the mall during the holiday season. Enjoy the season while getting healthy movement. Plan a night during the week after dinner and homework. Also plan a time on the weekend to walk outdoors or at the mall again. Winter walking can be fun!
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Thought for the Day

"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through." -- Rosalynn Carter
 
For questions about Healthy Kids Challenge, please contact:
Vickie L. James, RD, LD, Director
vickie@healthykidschallenge.com
www.healthykidschallenge.com
1-888-259-6287