Keeping Kids Healthy

We are fortunate to live in a time when many health threats that plagued our parents and grandparents have been virtually eliminated. Diseases like polio and small pox no longer affect large numbers of children. Unfortunately, the advances that helped eliminate these threats to children’s well being also brought new challenges. Our modern lifestyle sometimes results in children who have many scheduled activities but little time for unstructured play. Children today have less contact with nature, more fast food and fewer family meals, less physical activity and more time sitting in front of a computer screen, video game or TV.

Caregivers play a significant role in creating environments that encourage physical activity, good nutrition and healthy self care habits, such as hand washing and teeth brushing. It can be challenging to keep children healthy and stay current on health research and best practices in caring for children. ECCLC can provide you with information that will help you meet the needs of children in your care.

More information on children’s health can be found at http://www.healthychildcare.org/eecc.html

Learn more about ways to promote kids' health and prevent obesity at Michell Obama's Let's Move! initiative

Resource Kit for encouraging children to be active and develop healthy eating habits http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/pp/COPAN/resourcekits/EarlyChildhoodResourceKit.pdf

Live Well Colorado's Child Care Champions Best Practice guidebook offers best practices to help caregivers instill a pattern of healthy eating and active living

Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative focusing on kids health and obesity prevention

Consumer Product Safety Information

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