Backyard Fun

Summer time is such a great time to get the kids outside.  We saw this wonderful post about a backyard slack line that would be so much fun to have at home.  Great for developing balance, CORE strength, motor planning---and FUN!  Check out the link:
 
http://imaginationsoup.net/2014/06/slackline-favorite-backyard-activity/

Getting Kids to Eat Healthy

The Snack Box

“What can I eat?” is the dreaded question, usually followed by:  “There’s nothing good to eat!”  If you have a child, you have probably heard both of these questions more times than you care to count.  Wouldn’t it be great, if your child could just go to the cabinet or pantry and pick a satisfying and nutritious snack without all the bargaining for processed junk foods?  

 You can put your child in control with the snack box, and here’s how it works:    

1.    Get a large plastic bin.  You’d best get one for each child so there is no conflict over food. 
2. Take a large sheet of paper and make two columns:  Green (for healthy snacks) and Yellow (for less healthy snacks, which should be eaten less often) 
3. Discuss together which snacks should be placed in the green column, and which snacks should be placed in the yellow column. 
4. Permit your child to choose, for example, 14 snacks for the week with eleven of the snacks from the green column and 3 from the yellow column. 
5. She can go to the store with you and help you purchase her choices and place them in the box when you arrive home.  Fruits, vegetables, hummus and other refrigerated items could be represented in the box by a card or picture.

·         Your child is now in control.  She has picked the snacks and knows where to find them.  She can enjoy some favorite junk foods, but in moderation.  When the less healthy snacks run out, they are gone until next week.    

                                                                       

“Eat This, Not That”….A guide to Healthy Eating Choices for Kids

There seems to always be an excuse as to why we give our kids junk foods:  “It’s a special day”, “ it’s somebody’s birthday”,” it’s a holiday”, “ it’s the end of school”, “ it’s the beginning of school”, “it’s the beginning of camp”, ” it’s the middle of camp”…..well, you get the idea.  If you have a fussy eater, the problem becomes magnified…but, whether you have a good eater or a child with picky eating habits, it just makes sense to guide your child to healthy eating habits.  

Check out this list made by the kids and teens of Good Beginnings (our therapy practice) as they delved into improving eating habits:

Eat This….                                                  Instead of This….

Corn or Whole Wheat Tortilla                                  White Flour Tortilla

Cheerios                                                                    Frosted Flakes, or sugared cereals

Make Your Own Popcorn                                         Buttered Popcorn

100% Whole Wheat Bread                                       White or Multigrain Bread

Serving of Chocolate Chips                                      Cake or Cookies

Triscuits and Cheese                                                 Cheez-Its

Hummus                                                                    Mayonnaise Dip

Veggies                                                                      Crackers

Whole Grain Pasta with serving of Cheese               Macaroni and Cheese

Fruit with Dash of Whipped Topping                        Ice Cream

Dried Fruit                                                                 Candy

Serving of Nuts                                                          Granola Bar

Flavored Seltzer                                                         Soda, Juice, or Sports Drink

Home Cooked Dinner                                                Restaurant Meal

I would say these kids are on the right track!  Maybe you could challenge your kids to make their own list!