Health Smart: Exciting Meals

March 13, 2011 in 0-4 Baby/Toddler, 5-8 Beginning Readers, Health Smart, Literacy Tips, Tip of the Week

Need help making your child’s meals more appealing? There are lots of ways to make eating fun, try these tips from Katie Goodman, a food blogger and Mom of two:

• Make fun shapes using cookie cutters or knife cuts.
• Incorporate colorful foods. Make a game of eating a rainbow a day.
• Give disliked foods cool new names.
• Vary the way you serve food. Try mini sizes or wraps.
• Include your child in meal planning and grocery shopping.

For these and more ideas, see Katie’s great article, “5 Ways to Make a Meal More Exciting” or visit her food blog.

–Debbie Barr, BYU Student, Department of English

Health Smart: Teens on the Grow

February 7, 2011 in 13+ Teen, 9-12 Tween, Health Smart, Literacy Tips, Tip of the Week

Adolescence is a time when your child may push you away, but they may also be calling for help. Developing teenagers are very self conscious with their changing bodies and are often worried about fitting in. They may become easily embarrassed …

Health Smart: Childhood Stress

January 17, 2011 in 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Health Smart, Literacy Tips, Tip of the Week

Does your child have sudden mood swings, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, and possibly stomach aches or headaches? Is he suddenly more withdrawn, acting up, or performing poorly in school? These may be signs that your child is stressed.

Alleviating this stress might be …

Health Smart: Using Books for Fun Eating

December 20, 2010 in 5-8 Beginning Readers, Health Smart, Literacy Tips, Tip of the Week

Do you have a picky eater? Try reading a book that describes fun characters eating different foods. After you finish the book, make the food together with your child. When you are finished, you’ll have a new food that they’re …

Health Smart: Variety is the Spice of Life!

August 16, 2010 in 0-4 Baby/Toddler, 13+ Teen, 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Health Smart, Literacy Tips, Tip of the Week

Eating habits are learned behaviors. Begin serving children a variety of fresh foods early and often. As you prepare meals, have something on your child’s plate you know he or she likes and add something new. If your children still does not like the new food……

Health Smart: Ideas for Outside Play

June 7, 2010 in 13+ Teen, 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Health Smart, Literacy Tips, Tip of the Week

Summer is a great time to get kids outdoors. There are many activities that can get children off the computer or away from the TV and outside playing. These activities will not only enliven their summer vacation experience, …