Skip to main content

Create Healthy Childhood Habits to Last a Lifetime

Email share
by Logan Brody • Published on • Last modified on
Education

Explore the importance of good nutrition, fitness, and self-care in helping kids grow strong and resilient on Child Health Day! The first Monday in October is Child Health Day. Each year, this day provides the opportunity for grownups and kids alike to learn more about what they need for a lifetime of good physical, mental and emotional health. And it’s not just regular doctor’s visits that keep us fit and strong. There are so many ways to stay healthy together — eating nutritious foods, practicing mindfulness and doing emotional check-ins, and daily physical activity, like yoga, dance, or hitting the gym. Doing these things together as a family is more than just fun, it helps create lasting, positive memories around personal health.

Check out the videos, activities and games below to learn more about the science of how our bodies react to exercise, why sleep is so important, and what foods give us energy and boost our brainpower. Then start making your own healthy habit routines!

Jump to article sections:

Creating Healthy Habits
Activities, Games & More

Creating Healthy Habits

Grades Pre K-K

KidVision | Exercise for Kids

Miss Penny and the KidVision Kids went to Club One Athletics to learn about exercising for kids. We began with a stretch, went on to a warm up, then we exercised like animals, and finished with an obstacle course. Start healthy habits early and come to the gym with us!

GO

Grades K-5

Sleep | Science Trek

Sleep rejuvenates our body and helps clean out our brain. But what is sleep? This video gallery discusses the different stages of sleep, provides tips on how to get a better nights sleep, and what happens when you don’t get enough sleep.

GO

Grades Pre K-K

Balance | What’s Good

As part of the What’s Good series, this video teaches children about life sciences and the healthy choices that give our lives balance. Go shopping with chef Won Kim as he dishes on selecting affordable ingredients that can come together to make a complete, healthy meal. Learn the basic science of balance and get excited to make a homemade meal with your kids.

GO

Grades 3-8

Stressin’ Out! | Spot on Science

Stressing out over an upcoming test or a big game at school? Dr. Lisa Rameriz explains how stress can actually be a good thing and what to do when it turns toxic.

GO

Grades K-5

Pressing Pause: How Mindfulness Helps Kids

All children have times when they become overwhelmed, overloaded, or overstimulated. Mindfulness is a method of pressing the “pause button,” allowing kids to regroup and re-enter a situation with greater calm. Learn more with four tips you can use with your kids.

GO

Activities, Games & More

Grades Pre K-3

My Healthy Habits Chart

Help your child keep a record of healthy habits they practice with these Healthy Habit Charts from Sesame Street.

GO

Grades 3-8

Powering Your Body with Exercise

In this blended, interactive lesson supporting literacy skills, students examine the changes that occur within the body in response to physical activity. Students develop their literacy skills as they explore personal health and the role of exercise.

GO

Grades Pre K-3

Practice Mindfulness With Belly Breathing

During stressful or intense emotional moments, children may not have the coping skills to calm themselves. Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, is a calming exercise that both children and parents can practice to relax and feel grounded, and one that children as young as three can practice.

GO

Grades 6-12

Sleep Quiz | QUEST

Recognize how sleep affects the body and test your knowledge on sleep facts and sleep disorders in this short video segment from QUEST, produced by KQED.

GO

Grades Pre K-3

Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids

How do you encourage your kids to eat healthy? Here are four ideas to help them develop good snacking habits.

GO

Don’t miss locally curated learning tips, activities, and family-friendly events from across the region—direct to your inbox each week—by signing up for the Learn & Play newsletter.