Find Your Inspiration

  

Designated as National Inspirational Role Models Month, November is a time both to remember these people in our own lives, and to be thankful for them. Role modeling is particularly critical with respect to healthy lifestyle choices, now more than ever in the face of an alarming childhood obesity rate. Pediatricians and other health professionals emphasize that positive role modeling is one of the single most effective factors in combating the rise in obesity among the young.

Role models also provide inspiration. Terry McCall, creator of the innovative low-tech Freedom Climber and profiled in this issue, attributes his creativity to the example of his father, whose ingenuity planted the seeds.

Join us in celebrating those who have inspired us, and in taking steps to make healthy lifestyles and physical fitness a model we all can follow.

Martha Harris
President/Founder
Michael Cordier
Vice President/Founder

Taking action for children's well being means helping them to make healthy choices.

• Encourage one hour of physical activity per day for your child.
• Let children choose family activities, and post an activity log on your refrigerator.
• Limit screen time to two hours or less per day.
• Buy and serve more fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods.
• Model healthy eating and regular exercise.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Role modeling also takes place in the classroom. Teachers have the potential to influence children's healthy behaviors and lifetime choices by including bouts of physical activity into the total learning experience. For examples of simple in-class activities, check out the Fizika Energizers.

Physical activity in the classroom helps activate the brain, improve on-task behavior during academic instruction time, and increases daily in-school physical activity levels among children.

American Education Week is November 14-20.