ATLANTA, Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when healthy New Year's resolutions are starting to fade, Primrose Schools, a high-quality early education and care provider with more than 290 schools coast-to-coast, is helping parents and children get excited about healthy living through its Healthy Bodies program. All Primrose schools across the country are focused on helping families live healthier, active lives in 2015 and beyond by incorporating fun activities into the classroom and providing resources for parents to use at home.
Primrose Schools(R) Encourages Parents and Children to Live Healthy Lifestyles.
Through March, Primrose is holding a contest on its Facebook page encouraging parents to share photos of themselves doing healthy activities with their children. #PrimroseHealthyBodies
Dr. Laura Jana, national parenting expert and spokesperson for the AAP, will speak on a webinar hosted by Primrose Schools® on "Practical Tips for Raising a Healthy Child," on Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. ET.
"At Primrose, we know the habits children develop early on shape their lifestyles into adulthood," says Jo Kirchner, president and CEO of Primrose Schools. "It's important for care providers and parents to work together, especially during the crucial first five years of a child's life, to foster habits, values and behaviors that will lead to healthy choices later in life. Active Minds, Healthy Bodies and Happy Hearts® has been a part of our DNA at Primrose since our inception and our programs continue to evolve with ever-changing technology so that we can better partner with and equip parents to foster healthy living too."
The goal of Primrose Schools' Healthy Bodies program is to set the foundation for a lifelong love and excitement for healthy living in children. The program, which is part of Primrose's Balanced Learning® curriculum, includes lessons, resources and tips for helping children develop healthy habits, active lifestyles and balanced nutrition. Primrose incorporates all three areas of focus into daily classroom experiences for students.
Healthy Habits – Primrose teachers help students learn healthy habits early on, such as proper hand-washing, healthy sleep routines, reading and general personal hygiene habits, like covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Physical Activity – The Primrose Schools Thumbs Up!® curriculum was developed in consultation with Steve Sanders, Ed.D., a university professor and author nationally recognized for his work in the field of physical education with a focus on early childhood. The curriculum is designed to get children excited about physical activity and help them develop basic motor skills, such as throwing, catching and jumping, which research shows is more likely to help them become active adults.
Balanced Nutrition – Healthy eating habits begin long before grade school. In consultation with dietitian Ann Dunaway Teh and pediatrician Dr. Laura Jana, Primrose developed its Balanced Menus program to ensure students receive the nutrition they need while in school. The meals and snacks, exceeding USDA recommendations, include a balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, and students are encouraged to eat five fruits and vegetables a day. The goal of Balanced Menus is to introduce children to nutritious foods at a young age to help them develop healthy eating habits for life.
Outside of the classroom, Primrose works with parents to make sure they have the knowledge, support and resources they need to encourage healthy living at home. Healthy Bodies initiatives scheduled and currently taking place for parents and families include:
National Online Chat – Practical Tips for Raising a Healthy Child – This free webinar, taking place on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 9-10 p.m. (EST), will feature pediatrician, nationally-recognized parenting expert, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and award-winning author Dr. Laura Jana. Dr. Jana will discuss how to encourage lifelong wellness through healthy routines, physical activity and balanced nutrition, and answer questions on how to set the foundation for a healthy lifestyle for your children early on. Participants will have the opportunity to win prizes that encourage healthy living, including gift cards to Barnes & Noble, REI and Whole Foods and signed copies of Dr. Jana's "Food Fights" book. One grand-prize winner will receive a Vitamix blender to help make healthy eating easier at home. Learn more about the event here.
Healthy Selfie Challenge – Through March, Primrose is holding a contest on its Facebook page encouraging parents to share photos of themselves doing healthy activities with their children. A winning photo is chosen each week, and winners receive a health-focused prize, such as an electric toothbrush set or a set of bikes and helmets for the family.
Snacktivities – Primrose is sharing a series of "snacktivity" videos every week through March to showcase fun ways parents can involve their children in making healthy snacks and fun memories in the kitchen.
You can learn more about Primrose Schools' Healthy Bodies program and how schools are encouraging health and wellness among students and families by visiting our 360 Parenting blog.
About Primrose Schools Founded in 1982, Primrose Schools is the nation's leader in providing a premier, early education and care experience in more than 290 schools in 25 states. Each Primrose school is independently owned and operated by Franchise Owners, who partner with parents to help children build the right foundation for future learning and life, and offer an environment that helps children have fun while nurturing Active Minds, Healthy Bodies and Happy Hearts®. Primrose is the first early childhood education organization in the country to receive AdvancED Corporation Systems Accreditation under the new Standards for Quality Early Learning Schools. For more information, visit www.PrimroseSchools.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and explore our 360 Parenting blog.
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