Free Downloads that encourage healthy habits!
Kids will have fun with these interactive printables all while learning about food nutrition! This download drop includes an educational reader and brain-stimulating matching card games. Download



Use the download links to download the full pdf files of these printable games!Download
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Is physical education in a "sorry" state as suggested in the infographic above?  I'll let you decide.

So what do you think?

Please share Sandy Slade's Video for an Applebee's Commercial.

The many benefits of physical education continue to grow.  A recent study by the Physical Activity Council shows that students who do not receive PE are more that twice as likely to be totally sedentary outside of school.

On the other hand, students who receive Physical Education are two to three times more likely to participate in sports and be active outside of school.

Clearly what happens in physical education can have a profound effect on t…

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer









First Lady Michelle Obama is making more progress with the Let's Move campaign. A presentation was made at the Conference of Mayors, 470 Mayors decided to make their town or city a Let's Move City.

Want to know if your city is one of them? Let's Move Cities & Towns. I'm very pleased to see that all 3 major metropolis' that I've lived in have joined. Riverside, San Diego and Los Angel…

Here's a neat PDF that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation compiled from their 30 tweets of 30 facts about childhood obesity, during Childhood Obesity Month.

Download HERE.

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer

The City of San Francisco just banned giving toys with Childrens' Happy Meals citing they contain too much fat and sugar. Proponents of the legislation suggest that toys are the culprit of poor food choices for the young set.

According to the ban, if a restaurant wants to give out toys, they need to include fruits and vegetables with the meal. So "Mickey D's"...all that would be required is to …

We all know by now, that we need to eat more fruits and vegetables! We also have heard of schools creating their own gardens and creating not only learning environments but supplying their school cafeteria's with fresh food as well.

Now Jamba Juice is sponsoring a grant called, It's all about the Fruits! Through the National Gardening Association.

20 Schools can win fruit trees valued @ over $500. Visit the link to find out more and app…

by Andrea Bossenmeyer

A great free resource came into my inbox today. We all know we should eat at least 4-5 servings of fruits and veggies everyday. Here's a great way to find locally grown across US & Canada. The Eat Well Guide® is a free online directory featuring over 22,000 listings where anyone can search for fresh, locally grown and sustainably produced food.

And if you live in Wisconsin Farm Aid is having a 25th Bday Celebration.

T…

Contributed by JC BoushhAccording to the recent findings published in The New England Journal of Medicine researchers from the obesity center at Temple University are seeing an overall decline in childhood obesity in their study group of 4,500 students. Researchers followed students from sixth grade to eighth grade and half of the students in the study were involved in higher levels of physical activity and a healthier cafeteria diet. Preliminar…

Your school could be enjoying the benefits of the Peaceful Playgrounds Program. Why wait? Put an end to those playground hassles and headaches. Start planning now for the fall and a successful opening to the school year. Summer is the perfect time to paint over 100 permanent games and activities on the playground.

Peaceful Playgrounds is a "do-it-yourself" program which transforms your school into a variety of games and activities …

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer

Have you heard of Playreport? It's a new global research project on children and play. Ikea wants the world to play more so they sponsored and international survey of over 11,000 interviews in 25 countries.

The most notable discovery was that 9 out of 10 children would PREFER TO PLAY WITH PARENTS AND FRIENDS, rather than TV or Internet. The sad thing in the report was that parents reported they were too busy,…

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer

Yet another research study is emerging showing that if you stick Dora or Shrek or any other popular cartoon character on the front of a box or a banana that is what the child will choose to eat. The study shows preschoolers will choose the higher-calorie, less healthful foods over more nutritious options.

"The bottom line is that when kids are presented with a choice of graham crackers, fruit snacks or carrot…

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer.

Have you heard? The Mayor Of Oklahoma City put his citizens on a diet? In order to bring attention to the issue of obesity, he created a website to help citizens of Oklahoma lose 1 million pounds together. The city is on the list of the Top Ten Obese Cities in America.

There are many initiatives such as helping push fast food's healthier options menu, working with "The Biggest Loser" as well as b…

Have you checked out the Play Cafe?

Watch this short video for information and parent resources for those interested in and understanding the importance of play.



The importance of play.

A playground program: Peaceful Playgrounds.

One schools approach to playground play space.

You may want to check out the new blog by the Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) — The Body Smart Blog is the place for people interested in early childhood education and development.

Whether you are a Head Start teacher, a parent of a toddler, or a preschool administrator — you will find useful and interesting articles and ideas here. Calls to actions, interviews, activity ideas, book reviews a…

Peaceful Playgrounds February 2010 Grants Newsletter has been released.
Articles include: Schools Role in the Childhood Obesity Crisis

Grant information

CVS Caremark Community Grants
Coca-Cola Foundation Grants
Peaceful Pathways. Reducing Exposure to Violence
Shade Structure Program
ING Unsung Heros Grants
Finish Line Youth Foundation Grants

The Obama administration will begin a drive this week to expel Pepsi, French fries and Snickers bars from the nation’s schools in hopes of reducing the number of children who add pounds during their school years, according to the New York Times.

In legislation, soon to be introduced, candy and sugary beverages would be banned and many schools would be required to offer more nutritious fare. The announcement is expected to come today, President&#…

Groups ask First Lady to consider an "outdoor component" in her childhood obesity fight.
Excerpt from the letter below:


Dear Mrs. Obama:

On behalf of our tens of millions of members and supporters, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your commitment to combating childhood obesity. We applaud your childhood obesity initiative for promoting improvements in school lunches, access to healthy foods, physical activity and nutriti…