Life is a work in progress
Canada’s Guidelines for Increasing Physical Activity in Children recommends reducing inactive time by at least 30 minutes a day. Help make children aware of how much time they spend being active and inactive. Turn off the TV, computer and video games and encourage physical activity instead. Suggest that children walk, run or bike places instead …
Different activities provide different benefits. Make sure children participate in a variety of physical activities that encourage endurance, flexibility and strength. Endurance activities like running, swimming, skating, dancing and bike riding help heart and lungs stay healthy. Flexibility activities like stretching, ballet, gymnastics, jazz dancing and bowling help keep joints moving. Strength activities like climbing …
Make activity a family affair. Set some physical activity ground rules for your family and support children in setting goals to become more physically active. Involve children in setting a family goal to become more physically active. Make a plan to increase physical activity levels and follow through together. Track daily physical activities. Praise and …
Canada’s Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth recommend spending at least 30 minutes more a day being physically active. The goal is for children to increase their activity gradually, until they are doing at least 90 minutes of physical activity daily. Build up physical activity throughout the day in periods of at least 5 …
Fun is first on a long list of benefits that come with being physically active. Most young children enjoy participating in physical activities for the fun of it. Help kids identify physical activities they enjoy from a young age. Focus on participation for the fun of it rather than performance or competition. Make a habit …
Look for the Nutrition Facts table on packaged foods. The Nutrition Facts table, along with the ingredient list and nutrition claims (such as a package that identifies a food is “high in fibre”) can help you make informed food choices. Use the Nutrition Facts table to compare the nutrients in food products more easily. Compare …
Healthy snacking can help children meet their daily nutritional needs. Give children a variety of nutritious snacks from the 4 food groups in Canada’s Food Guide. Keep nutritious snacks close at hand. For example, put a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter, have cut up vegetables and yogurt in the refrigerator or pack a …
Family meal times are a great time to teach children the basics about healthy eating, expose them to new tastes and help them develop cooking skills. Sit down to family meals together as often as possible. Add variety by encouraging children to try new foods. Teach children basic cooking skills by preparing family meals together …
Plan Nutritious Lunches Help children develop meal planning skills by getting them involved. Have them help plan and prepare their own nutritious lunches. Give children increasing responsibility for planning and preparing their own lunches over time. Ask them to make a list of nutritious foods they like to eat for lunch. Have fun creating and …
Breakfast is often called “the most important meal of the day” for good reason! A morning meal helps refuel the body after a night’s sleep and contributes essential nutrients important for children’s healthy growth and development. Eating a nutritious breakfast helps children pay full attention and learn well at school and can help promote a …