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Healthy Schools (2022, May 23). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from:

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Healthy Schools (2022, May 23). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from:

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Healthy Schools (2022, May 23). CDC.gov. Retrieved from:
https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/healthy-schools.htm

This website on healthy schools from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares facts base off of statistics, followed by the CDC's approach to help schools become healthy. The article shares very important information for all present and future teachers to be aware of as it states "Developing healthy behaviors during childhood is easier and more effective than trying to change unhealthy behaviors during adulthood." Since children spend more hours of their day while awake in school it is part of the teachers responsibility to help their students learn healthy and effective behaviors. The CDC also shares free resources and training for school administrations in the article in order to prepare teachers to help their students grow healthy habits at a young age. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can take advantage of these CDC resources and training in order to assure they run a healthy classroom. In a world where Covid-19 is still a present in some aspects of our world, teachers would benefit greatly from these resources. Teacher will also have the ability to allow their students' parents to know they prepared to run a healthy classroom and keep their students healthy.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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How CDC Helps Students Get a Healthy Start

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The Importance of Sleep for Kids (2018, March 12). John Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved from:
https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/ACH-News/General-News/The-importance-of-sleep-for-kids#:~:text=Why%20is%20a%20good%20night%27s,overall%20mental%20and%20physical%20health.

This website on the importance of sleep for kids from John Hopkins Medicine Website states how sleep is an essential part of everyone's routine and an indispensable part of a healthy lifestyle. Throughout this article readers are able to learn the benefits of sleep and factors that can occur from not getting enough sleep. This article shares the recommended hours of sleep each age group of children need followed by information to help parents establish a night routine in which will help their children receive a better nights sleep. This article also shares how parents should visit a pediatrician to consider different sleep routines or sleep medications. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can benefit from this information as they are able to keep an eye out for daytime sleepiness or behavior difficulties in class that they think might be linked to lack of sleep. The teachers can then inform the parents of their children's behaviors as the parents may just believe their children as tired after a long day of school instead of being aware that their children are tired all throughout the day.

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Sun Safety (2022 June). Nemours KidsHealth. Retrieved from:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sun-safety.html

This website on sun safety from Nemours KidsHealth readers are able to learn about the importance of safety, especially for children, when exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays (UV Rays). This website first shares how sunburn occurs followed by useful methods to prevent sunburn. Nemourse KidsHealth shares how the use of sunscreen, avoidance of strong UV Rays, wearing sunglasses, covering skin, and double checking medications child may be on are all wonderful ways to prevent a child from receiving sun burn. Readers of this website can learn not only ways to prevent sunburn but also ways to treat the burns if they do occur. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can use the information found on this website to gain knowledge on sunburn prevention and treatments. By having knowledge of these procedures during taking children outside during school hours teachers are able to apply sunscreen and remind children of other precautions to take while in the sun. After reviewing the information on this website teachers are also able to learn the procedures to help children who receive sunburn in order to help ease their pain.

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Allergies (2023). American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Retrieved from:
https://www.aaaai.org/Conditions-Treatments/Allergies

This website on allergies from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology informs readers on allergy symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and management. After provides readers with an overview of these different factors of allergies the readers can also view different types of allergies such as drug, eye, food, pet, mold, etc. The website linked brings viewers to a page where there are multiple squares presents, each square is linked to a fewer in depth article which providers readers with more information on each of the different allergies listed. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can use this website to gain a more in depth knowledge of different types of allergies and the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and management options that follow with each diagnosis. This website in very important for teachers to have access to, as they are in charge of young children for a large portion of the day. There are children who have yet to discover all their known allergies, in this case this website would greatly help a teacher who is experiencing an allergy outbreak with one or more of their students.

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MyPlate: The New and Improved Food Pyramid For Kids

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MyPlate: The New and Improved Food Pyramid For Kids

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MyPlate: The New and Improved Food Pyramid For Kids (2021, October 1). Parent Portfolio. Retrieved from:

https://parentportfolio.com/food-pyramid-for-kids/

This website on new and improved food pyramids for kids  from Parent Portfolio informs readers on the importance of the food they consume. The website shares a new version of the food pyramid which is more understandable and will actually make sense to children. Everyone knows that building a healthy plate for meals throughout the day will instill healthy eating habits and teach children from a young age what their plate should look like on a daily basis. The website shared to idea of the food pyramid becoming a plate, MyPlate. MyPlate, created by Michelle Obama, took the lead in changing the confusing Food Pyramid to a more simplified model of the five food groups that shapes what you would see when looking down at your table. Children should eat a variety of different colored portions and a glass of milk dependent on their weight. This colorful plate is more relatable to children trying to make a plate for dinner than a pyramid would be. This websites shares many insights for readers to gain a vaster knowledge of food nutrition for young children through sharing the differences between food pyramids and MyPlate, digging deeper into each portion size and meaning behind them, and closing the article with ideas on how to construct a MyPlate and what you will takeaway from these knew portions. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can use the information given throughout this website to inform children on healthy eating habits. By doing this teachers are preparing their students for a healthy future.

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Looking for a simple way to teach your children about nutrition? Do you remember learning about the Food Pyramid for kids? That's been updated to MyPlate since then. This new version is more understandable and will actually make sense to your children! Now, nutrition is clear and plain.

As a parent, you want the best for your child. Building an ideal plate for both you and them will instill healthy eating habits and teach your child from a young age what their plate should look like. Growing up, you may have followed the food pyramid for kids. However, this food guide pyramid has been replaced by MyPlate.

What is MyPlate?

MyPlate is the new Food Pyramid for kids. In 2011, Michelle Obama took the lead in changing the confusing Food Pyramid to a more simplified model of the five food groups. Instead of a triangle, the image exemplifies what an actual plate a person should design around.

MyPlate is a guide that shapes what you would see when looking down at your table. Kids should eat a variety of different colored portions and a glass of milk on their weight. This model is more relatable and transferable for the public to replicate to their tables.

The Portions

People can easily see that it is ideal for them to fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables with a quarter of grains, a quarter of protein, and a glass of dairy on the side. The representation is broad but still easily customizable.

Food Pyramid vs. MyPlate

The Food Pyramid for kids began at the base with a large group consisting of bread, cereal, brown rice, and pasta with the recommendation of 6 to 11 servings. In MyPlate, this section is condensed simply into the grains portion on 1/4 th of the plate.

Resting on top were the vegetable (3-5 servings) and fruit groups (2-4 servings). MyPlate allows a more fluid choice of fruit and veggies servings.

Further up is the "milk, yogurt, cheese" group and the "meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cooked dry beans, and nuts" group. You can find these in the protein and glass of dairy in MyPlate. Protein is a more open category that allows for alternate protein sources such as tofu, tempeh, and alternatives to lean meats.

The tip of the pyramid is made of fats, oils, and sweets. As you can see on MyPlate, there is no category for these types of healthy diet inclusions because the goal of MyPlate was to aid in the obesity epidemic in America.

These foods are calorically dense, with 9 kilocalories per gram, making them more than double the calories in the same weight of protein and carbohydrates. Omitting them exemplifies that there is not always a place on a typical plate for each meal.

MyPlate For Kids

As a parent, you want the best for your child. Building an ideal plate for both you and them will instill healthy eating habits and teach your child from a young age what their plate should look like. Growing up, you may have followed the food pyramid for kids. However, this food guide pyramid has been replaced by MyPlate.

MyPlate is a great tool that you can introduce to children. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed excellent resources as a way for kids to interact and learn about healthy eating tips and kids' food choices. You can find different printables on their official website, MyPlate.gov.

Make mealtime exciting by using the veggie dice to decide what will be on their plates. You can even play grocery store bingo, color and design your plate, and create a whole lesson on whole grains.

Digging Deeper

The connotation of thoughts surrounding the ranking in a pyramid no longer exists in MyPlate. Grains are no longer the basis of a meal. This change is a positive one as in recent years, some have believed mainly carbs to be the main contributor to weight gain.

A more simplified guide creates a clear concept as to what a plate should be. The trouble is that it now no longer provides recommended servings of each component.

The Food Pyramid for kids provided the recommended serving sizes of each food component that kids should consume daily. Now, this is nonexistent.

Viewers must get this information from alternate child nutrition education sources. Overall, the MyPlate model shows what a single meal should exemplify, while the Food Pyramid provides information about what a full day may consist of.

Another controversy is the glass of dairy. Although many people believe dairy milk is the ideal calcium and vitamin D source, it isn't the only one. Some sources assume that the dairy industry had a hand in making sure dairy stayed on the model. Canada has a highly similar food guide, except a glass of water replacing America's glass of dairy.

Making Meals with MyPlate

For breakfast, consider an omelet with eggs and raw leafy greens, a cup of low-fat milk, a dried fruit cup, and a slice of toast. This meal encompasses all components without it looking directly like the model.

Lunch could be a bean and veggie wrap with a fruit smoothie. This meal won't physically look like the MyPlate image, but kids are still consuming all components.

While prepping dinner, snack on fruit while teaching your children proper kitchen techniques, and talk about each other's day. You can make dinner by getting a simple sheet pan meal with skinless chicken breast, sliced potatoes, and broccoli florets, then serving with a glass of milk or fruit juice.

MyPlate Key Takeaways

The food pyramid for kids is retired and replaced by a more simplified version. In MyPlate, fruits and veggies are more emphasized. Some resources go along with MyPlate to cultivate a healthy food relationship for you and your children.

Remember to always See a registered dietitian nutritionist for specific information and dietary guidelines. Meals can fit the MyPlate template without directly looking like it.

Final Thoughts

The update to MyPlate is one that was needed in order to keep up with new nutrition information and trends. This tool is now simplified and easily replicable by the general population. Showing what your everyday plate should actually consist of makes creating your own and teaching children what an adequate meal is.

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MyPlate: The New and Improved Food Pyramid For Kids * Parent Portfolio

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Looking for a simple way to teach your children about nutrition? Do you remember learning about the Food Pyramid for kids? That's been updated to MyPlate since then. This new version is more understandable and will actually make sense to your children! Now, nutrition is clear and plain.

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Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning (2022)

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Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning (2022)

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Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning (2022, October 5). CDC.gov. Retrieved from:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-childcare-guidance.html

This website on in-person classes after Covid-19 from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examines ways to adapt to the changing local situations, including periods of increased community health impacts from COVID-19. This website shares many insightful strategies teachers, parents and students can learn and follow in order to keep the classroom safe and healthy. The website shares that staying up o date on vaccinations is essential to prevent illness from many different infections. They also share that those who feel sick or show symptoms of sickness should stay home in order to prevent a spread of any type of sickness through the classroom. Another wonderful strategy this website shares with its readers is hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and cleaning. These are all great prevention strategies to the spread of sickness and disease. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can assure all students are up to date of vaccinations, keep a clean and healthy self and classroom, keep masks on when needed and get tested if there are signs of Covid-19 symptoms present. Teachers can also learn how to respond to outbreaks in their classrooms through this website, which is wonderful knowledge for them to have in their back pocket.

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Hygiene Habits for Kids (2016, July 7). Health-line, Retrieved from:
https://www.healthline.com/health/hygiene-habits-kids

This website on hygiene habits for kids from health-line website provides readers with different hygiene habits children should have. These habits each have a paragraph following the habit in which the writer of the article includes detailed information on each habit. These paragraphs are able to share useful information for both parents and teachers of elementary school students. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can put together a powerpoint presentation on each of the hygiene habits for children. This presentation could provide both students and their parents with useful information to keep themselves and others around them healthy. Teachers can also use the information found on this website to create classroom posters to place around the sink and bathroom areas of the classroom to give students information on the correct ways to wash their hands, blow their noses, use the bathroom, etc.

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Like their hair, teenagers' skin becomes oilier with puberty. A number of acne-reducing medications are on the market, but people can sometimes overlook the benefits of simply washing with water and mild soap. Teach your teen to wash their face two to three times per day and to avoid picking at pimples.

As for makeup, make sure your child knows that sharing can spread infection and that going to sleep with makeup on can wreak havoc on their skin.

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Teaching your kids to have a healthy hygiene routine when they're young can create habits that last throughout their lives.

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How much physical activity do children need?

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How much physical activity do children need?

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How much physical activity do children need? (2022, June 3). CDC.gov. Retrieved from:

https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm

This website on physical activity for children from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention addresses the question, how much physical activity do children need? Throughout this website article the CDC shares that the needed amount of physical activity  varies dependent on the age of a child. The website states, "Children ages 3 through 5 years need to be active throughout the day. Children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 need to be active for 60 minutes every day." followed by examples on physical activities children at this age can participate in. Different types of physical activities are better-suited for different ages of children. Young children normally strengthen their muscles and release energy through climbing tree, running around, playing at the part, etc. whereas teenagers and adults then to strengthen their muscles and release energy through visits to the gym or playing sports. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can refer to this website in order to learn age appropriate physical activity dependent on the grade they are teaching at the time. A great example of a teacher using this website would be a high school teacher deciding to take a step back from higher grades and attending classes to teacher the younger grades. After teaching high school level students the teacher would be more accustomed to the students knowing what they can and cannot do, however, younger children are still in their learning stage. Children in the younger grades must try, fail and succeed before truly understanding what they are and are not capable of.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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The amount of physical activity children need depends on their age. Children ages 3 through 5 years need to be active throughout the day. Children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 need to be active for 60 minutes every day.

This may sound like a lot, but don't worry! Children may already be meeting the recommended physical activity levels. You can also see ways to encourage children to participate in activities that are age-appropriate, enjoyable, and offer variety.
Recommendations for Children Ages 3 Through 5 Years

Be physically active throughout the day for growth and development.

Adult caregivers should encourage children to be active when they play.

Recommendations for Children and Adolescents Ages 6 Through 17 Years

60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity each day.

Aerobic activity: Most of the daily 60 minutes should include activities like walking, running, or anything that makes their hearts beat faster. At least 3 days a week should include vigorous-intensity activities.

Muscle-strengthening: Includes activities like climbing or doing push-ups, at least 3 days per week.

Bone-strengthening: Includes activities such as jumping or running, at least 3 days per week.

Want examples of what counts? Check out the aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activity for children and adolescents.

Also, school-based physical activity can help children meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

On a scale of 0 to 10, where sitting is a 0 and the highest level of activity is a 10, moderate-intensity activity is a 5 or 6. When children do moderate-intensity activity, their heart beats faster, and they breathe much harder than when they are at rest or sitting. Vigorous-intensity activity is a level 7 or 8. When children do vigorous-intensity activity, their heart beats much faster than normal, and they breathe much harder than normal.

Another example is when children walk to school with friends each morning, they're probably doing moderate-intensity aerobic activity. But when children run, or chase others while playing tag during recess, they're probably doing vigorous-intensity activity.

Some physical activity is better-suited for children than adolescents. For example, younger children usually strengthen their muscles when they do gymnastics, play on a jungle gym, or climb trees. Children do not usually need formal muscle-strengthening programs, such as lifting weights. As children grow older and become adolescents, they may start structured weight lifting programs. They may do these types of programs along with their sports team practices.

How can you help children get the recommended amount of physical activity? Find out here.

Connect with Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

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How much physical activity do children need?

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The amount of physical activity children need depends on their age. See recommendations for ages 3 through 17.