Heart Choices: Weigh-In Wednesday: Teach your Children Well -->

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Weigh-In Wednesday: Teach your Children Well


It's Weigh-In Wednesday when I link up with Kim at Just For Clicks Blog.  I believe it's important to begin teaching children at a young age about living a healthy lifestyle.

In this day and age, it's all too common for families to eat meals on the run. Sitting down together at the dinner table is a good way to instill healthy habits that can last a lifetime.  It's also a great time to teach good manners and the art of listening to one another. Children learn much by observing what we do and not only by what we say.


My friends Lylah and Michael run The Simple Farm in Scottsdale, Arizona. Situated in a neighborhood, surrounded by gated communities, they are teaching many about a lost art in our families.  They offer classes on how to start your own garden of vegetables and herbs.  Lylah loves to sit and share her idea of coming together for meals without rushing.  She will grab an herb from her garden and have visitors smell it and taste it.  Her enthusiasm for community is infectious.  I love this about her.

I work in a private school working with preschool children. I am with them during their lunch time and work with them on eating and practicing good manners.  They say 'please' and 'thank you' and 'may I be excused'.  I continue to work with them on chewing their food with mouths closed and taking small bites.  I'm often amazed at how children eat until they're full and then stop.  A lesson for me ...

The children have PE twice a week.  They learn to do stretches to warm up and learn the basics of many sports.  It's a fun time for them.  Of course, every day they have time on the playground where they run and have fun playing games like 'duck, duck, goose'.

Last week our school held an outdoor assembly (yes we can do this in February in Phoenix) to raise awareness for diabetes. Our principal has diabetes. Each year our students and teachers walk to raise money for a cure.  I was especially touched this year when one of our Pre-K 4 students stood in front of the crowd to answer questions about his diabetes.  He held the attention of everyone as he spoke.


And then the student body walked ...

They walked for our principal.

They walked for this little boy.

They walked for people with diabetes to raise awareness and money for a cure.

This is near and dear to my heart as diabetes in a major risk factor for heart disease.

Children can begin to learn about living a healthy lifestyle from a young age. Practice what you preach. Talk to them about healthy choices.  And then go outside and ride your bicycles or take a walk together.

Do you have any ideas to share?  How do you teach your children about health and exercise?  I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
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4 comments:

  1. Great post Debbie! And so true!!! So much of the way we spend our time is habit driven. If we instill good habits early in our children's lives it will bless them indefinitely. Thanks for linking up and as always sharing such great wisdom Friend. ❤️

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  2. Hi Debbie! Diabetes is just becoming more and more prevalent, isn't it? And I'm sure your nurse background makes you doubly sensitive to the issue. What a wonderful event to support DM research and support your principal and your little one.
    I always encouraged outside play. I loved it too. We lived next door to a wonderful family who felt the same way. And we had a park close to the house, so we had many lazy afternoons watching the kids play tag, and build sand castles. Of course, this was before smartphones and videogames were just starting up. I think it's harder now.
    Have a wonderful Wednesday!
    Ceil

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  3. I'm glad you're sharing this here. Diabetes is awful. I tell my family to watch what they eat. To truly know what's in it. If sugar or sodium and fat are too high, don't eat it and they won't regret doing so. I also believe in portion control. When I just got here long time ago, I notice how big the portions of food were! I thank the Lord that working less allowed me to plan for more healthy recipes and incorporate more fish and veggIes in the plan. Thank you for sharing those activitIes from your school. I know the personal stories had lasting impact to those who listened. Take care and praying the Lord will shield us from allergens! :)

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  4. My oldest son has diabetes type II and it is a dread disease. Thank you so much for the work you are doing to promote research and cure.

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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