The 2020 school year looks different for every single household. Families are learning how to balance work and make sure their children are making the most of online learning or juggling new school schedules. It’s a lot to handle. And along the way, it might be easy to lose sight of the healthy activities kids need to incorporate into their daily schedules, too.
Teaching your children how to prepare foods in the kitchen – and beginning with good hygiene – is a life skill they’ll use forever.
At Medical Weight Loss Clinic, we want to help you guide your family toward a healthy, active lifestyle – and not add to the stresses we’re already experiencing! Medical Weight Loss Clinic’s Marketing Director Fran Yee shares some inspiring and simple ways to incorporate Health Class basics into your everyday. You can teach your children some great habits along the way.
Don’t skip Recess.
For students learning at home, in smaller pods or on an alternating school schedule, one of the first things they might miss is recess. What’s better than that moment the bell rings to signal a break from math class to run outside and claim your spot on the swings or basketball court? Not much. Even without the formal structures we’re used to, Fran says it’s possible to build physical activity into our days. Set a time for a short break – a 15-minute walk or 30 minute bike ride can do wonders for students – and adults.
Hooray for Home Economics.
Your kids might not have signed up for Home Ec this year, but that’s no reason to keep them out of the kitchen. Who said food preparation had to be an adults-only job? Cooking with your children has so many benefits. It’s one way to practice math as they measure ingredients, Fran notes. And you’ll make lasting memories together over those favorite family recipes and healthy snacks. Chopping vegetables and preparing home snack packs are a great way to get kids into a healthy mindset.
Instilling healthy habits – like cooking with your kids - fosters important life skills as we all return to back-to-school mode.
Reading and Creative Writing can start at home.
While you’re in the kitchen with the kids, plan meals together or cook for the whole family. Read recipes together and choose healthy dishes to make as a family, Fran says. Or, ask your kids to create their own recipes using healthy ingredients like fresh fruits and vegetables. Then, have them write out the best recipes to repeat in the future. Who said Creative Writing class was confined to the computer screen?
Get Scientific.
Healthy habits like eating fresh, healthy foods can be considered a science or history lesson, too. Make meal time count by asking your kids to research their favorite fruit or vegetable. They can find out more about its place in history, in culture or how it fits into the ecosystem. Is it a food you can grow in the garden next Spring? How long does it take to grow this fruit or vegetable from seed to plant to table? How do you protect the plant as it grows and when is it time to pick it, wash it and prepare it?
These are all great lessons at any age.
Whether you’re juggling back-to-school schedules or just need support to reach your own healthy goals, Medical Weight Loss Clinic can help. Book your free consultation online or by calling 1-800-GET-SLIM.
