Heart Choices: 2014-02-23 -->

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If You're Happy and You Know It


Each weekday morning the children in our Pre-K 3 class line up outside our classroom door and I lead them in this song.  You may be familiar with the words.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap)
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap)
If you're happy and you know it then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands. (clap, clap)

We go on to the next next verses that include stomping our feet, shouting hooray and then doing all three.  By the time we're finished singing, most of the children are smiling.  It's a fun way to start our day.

To continue reading, please link over to Laced with Grace.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

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

Women Walking With Jesus


Women Walking with Jesus.  I was so honored to be included with this group of writers.  After much prayer, Lisa Shaw brought together women from a variety of backgrounds, ages and cultures to share their personal experiences of walking with Jesus.  We each have our own unique areas of struggle and challenges.  But we know our help comes from the Lord.

Lisa has written a blog post to introduce the group at Lisa Shaw Cares.  I encourage you to pop over and see for yourself.

I've had the blessing of meeting Lisa face to face and she's the real deal.  We both come from New York and were greatly influenced by Christian grandparents.  I look forward to writing a monthly post.

So will you link over and check out Lisa's post?

Blessings and love,

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