Win A Playground Makeover For Your School

Does your child’s playground look boring and in need of a makeover?   Do they even get excited when it’s time to go play outside? It is so important for a child’s physical and emotional health to spend time being active outdoors.   The website Energy Balance 101 understands this and that is why they are calling all teachers and parents to   enter to win the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes on behalf of their school!   There are thousands in funds and prizes to be won!

She Is Dallas Info: The Healthy Playground Makeover sweepstakes is hosted by the Energy Balance 101: Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids website.   To enter, please visit the Healthy Playground Makeover webpage.   Here are the official rules for the sweepstakes.   There will be 2 Grand Prizes:   a $30,000 grant from Sports Authority and a new playground from Playworld Systems.     One grand prize drawing will be from among all eligible entries. The second grand prize drawing will be from among all eligible entries whose schools qualify for Title I Schoolwide Program. See eligibility in official rules.   There will also be 3 Runner Up Prizes: 3 lucky schools will receive a $5,000 grant from Sports Authority!

15 Simple Energy Balance Tips By Ellen Sviland, MS, RD, LD, CNSD Energy Balance is a simple equation that can change your child's life. It's also the source of some serious concern for parents. All busy parents, worry about making choices that are right for their children. Ensuring that kids are active and healthy does not need to be a struggle for parents. Modifying your lifestyle to include small ˜balancing ™ changes will help your whole family develop life-long habits and enable them to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Get started today with these fun and simple ideas to make energy balance a part of your daily life. 1. Create a healthy chain reaction.   Close social ties play an important role in weight loss. Make one day an active day with your family and watch the idea spread through other families in your circle of friends. 2. Remember what's in it for your kids.   Studies show that regular physical activity is more than balancing calories in with calories out “ it can improve sleep, focus, and confidence in children. 3. Make just one dietary change at a time.   Dietitians recommend making one change at a time. Try adding one serving of fruits and vegetables each week. 4. Make physical activity fun.   Buy inexpensive pedometers and track how much each family member walks in a weekend. 5. Eat “ and cook “ more meals as a family.   Kids who help prepare meals are more interested in eating them. Dining as a family is also a good way to model healthful habits. 6. Make being active easy.   Provide kids with plenty of opportunities for exercise. Examples include organizing outdoor play dates, dancing, skipping rope, joining a sports team, and having athletic equipment readily available for kids to use. 7. Be a role model for good health.   Children mimic the behavior habits of their parents. Show kids that regular exercise and eating healthfully makes you feel good, is fun, and is part of your regular daily routine. 8. Take your kids food shopping.   Children are more likely to try new foods when they are involved in the food selection process. You can also use this opportunity to teach them about nutrients in foods, label reading, and healthful eating for life. The Energy Balance 101: Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids website has a wealth of information to provide teachers and families with information on helping children stay healthy by balancing the energy they consume and the energy they expend.   Teachers can find free curriculum for grades K-2 and 3-5 to teach children about energy balance.   Families can play the Scale of Energy game and find information on family nutrition.   There is even a great list of other resources for eating healthy and getting fit.