Summer Program

Download a description of the program! ( Word Document, Adobe Reader PDF Document)
Download the Families in Motion Chart! ( Word Document, Adobe Reader PDF Document)

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Promoting physical activity and healthy snacking!

What is the Families in Motion summer program? 

It is a program that encourages families to be physically active most every day and to make healthy snack choices.  The goal is for each family member to be physically active for 30 minutes several days a week and to choose at least one healthy snack each day. 

The program contains helpful tools and information about physical activity and healthy snacking.  The program lasts for 75 days, starting June 1^st and ending August 15^th.  Families who participate in the summer program will receive a Families in Motion Certificate of Participation.  This certificate will be displayed on a Families in Motion recognition wall at your local Wyoming Child and Family Development Early Childhood Center or at a local grocery store.  In addition to this recognition wall, awards will be given to the most physically active and healthiest snacking families.   

What is physical activity? 

Physical activity means that your body is in continuous motion for a period of time.  Moderate physical activity should speed up your heart rate and your breathing, but not so fast that you are unable to carry on a conversation (i.e. brisk walking, bicycling, dancing, hoeing the garden).  It is recommended that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most every day and that children need at least 60 minutes every day.  Look at the Move It! Pyramid and the handouts Get Moving, Child’s Play, and Eat Right. Be Active. for ideas of how you and your family can become more physically active.  There are 8 fun activity cards included in the Child’s Play handout.

What foods make healthy snacks? 

Healthy foods are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and contain low to moderate amounts of calories.  Healthy snacks can be found in any of the major food groups like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, milk products, and meat and beans.  Look at MyPyramid and the handouts Eat Right. Be Active. and Why Snacks? for healthy snack ideas.  You will find 14 recipe snack cards included in the Why Snack? handout.

How do I get my family started on the program? 

You can start right now by talking to your family about the Families in Motion summer program.  Here is a list of things you can discuss with your family which will help get them excited about the summer program:

The June 1^ST Start Date

Make a big deal out of the June 1^st start date.  Involve your child in making these plans.  They will be far more motivated if they play a part in making the start date plans.  Try to plan a special family activity for the June 1^st physical activity and think of a tasty healthy snack to go with it.  For example, go for a nature hike or fly kites or play games in the park together.  This will get your family excited about the Families in Motion summer program and help the children see that they are doing something important.   

At the end of this day, have your family sit down together for Check In.  Take a few minutes to talk about the your family’s special physical activity for that day and how it made them feel.  Talk about snacks that were eaten and how they were good for their bodies.  Praise your children for taking good care of themselves.  Finish your Check In talk by completing your Families in Motion chart for June 1^st. 

More about Check In

Each evening ask your family to sit down together for a few minutes for a Check In talk.  Use this time to discuss how each person was physically active during the day.  Talk about snacks that were eaten and if they were healthy choices.  Discuss how physical activity and healthy eating are an important part of staying healthy and feeling good.  You will find that the two pyramids (MyPyramid and Move It! Pyramid) are useful during these family discussions. 

Keep your Check In talks positive.  Praise your children for trying to take care of their bodies.  Encourage your children to continue eating healthy foods and being physically active.  Ask them what kind activities and snacks they like.  Talk about how physical activity can be part of a daily routine.  Celebrate success through reward and recognition. 

More about completing your Families in Motion Chart

The Families in Motion chart has a line for each family member and space under each day.  Record physical activity and healthy snacking in these spaces using the following symbols:

A family member should never be criticized for unhealthy snacking or being sedentary. Encourage this family member and offer support by kindly exploring ways that this person could be more active and eat healthy snacks the following day.  Be realistic and recognize that you and your family members will not always eat healthy snacks or find time for daily physical activity.  You can learn about adopting healthy family habits by reading the handout Ways to Change Behavior.

The August 15^th Stop Date

August 15^th will be the last day that your family records their healthy snacks and physical activity. 

Send your Families in Motion Chart to your local Wyoming Child and Family Development Early Childhood Center (see addresses on next page).  Make sure you have written your name and address in the Contact Information Box in the lower right-hand corner of the chart before you put it in the mail. 

Awards, Prizes, and the Recognition Wall

Your family will receive recognition for participating in the program.  Your family’s name and summer accomplishments will be displayed on a Families in Motion Certificate of Participation.   This Certificate of Participation will be placed on a designated Families in Motion recognition wall at your local Wyoming Child and Family Development Early Childhood Center or local grocery store by September 1st.  You will be able to pick up your certificates of participation after October 1^st from the local early childhood center.

Awards will be given to families who have the highest physically active and healthiest snacking scores.  

Resources on the Internet!

Booklet full of fun activities for youth that encourage healthy eating
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/cnak_2Youth.pdf

Booklet full of fun family activities that encourage physical activity and healthy eating
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/cnak_3Family.pdf

Tips for eating right and exercising
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/mpk_tips.pdf

Booklet titled Get Moving for the Fun of It
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2000/2000DGBrochureGetMoving.pdf#xml=http://65.216.150.153/texis/search/pdfhi.txt?query=physical+activity&pr=MyPyramid&sufs=2&order=r&cq=&id=4592b6bd7

Good nutrition site with information for parents and interactive activities and games for children
http://www.dole5aday.com/

This site has lots of nutrition brochures
http://ific.org/publications/brochures/index.cfm

Interactive site with children promoting physical activity
http://kidnetic.com/

Here is a copy of the Move It! Pyramid
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/moveit.pdf

More detailed MyPyramid for Kids
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/mpk_poster2.pdf

Interactive computer game promoting physical activity and healthy eating
http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/kids_game.html

Site with information for adults promoting physical activity
http://www.shapeup.org/prof/rc_index.php

Canadian web site for children promoting physical activity
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/paguide/child_youth/resources.html#1

Information for parents about helping children eat healthier
http://ific.org/publications/brochures/parentsguide.cfm?renderforprint=1

Addresses for
Wyoming Child and Family Development
Early Childhood Centers

After completing your Families in Motion Chart, send it to your local Wyoming Child and Family Development Early Childhood Center.  Make sure you have written your name and address in the Contact Information Box in the lower right-hand corner of the chart before you put it in the mail.