View, Do, and Read

Keeping Kids Healthy

WHYY recently began airing Keeping Kids Healthy, the groundbreaking kids' health show produced by Montefiore Medical Center, in association with Thirteen/WNET New York. Shot in the lobby of The Children's Hospital at Montefiore and hosted by Dr. Winnie King, this weekly television series brings parents and caregivers together with medical professionals from around the nation to discuss real health issues and provide useful information to adults and children alike.

The upcoming episodes of Keeping Kids Healthy on WHYY TV12 will cover a variety of topics. Tune in on Saturday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m. to watch "Overcoming Obesity." This episode discusses the childhood obesity epidemic and explains ways to fight and prevent this disease. On Sunday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m., Keeping Kids Healthy will focus on two topics. "Money and Kids: A Reality Check!" describes how to prepare your children to become financially aware; "Teen Suicide: The Silent Epidemic" introduces you to a teenage girl who has attempted suicide three times and who joins her doctor in providing practical suggestions for detecting and preventing suicidal behavior in children. New parents should tune in on Sunday, May 22 at 10:30 a.m. for "Newborn Babies, Nursing Moms: What You Need To Know." This episode includes stories from a panel of new mothers and focuses on having new parents' questions answered by experts. On Sunday, May 29 at 10:30 a.m., the focus is on kids' computer use in "Internet Safety Secrets/Imaginary Friends: What If Your Child Has One?" Tune in to learn how you can make sure that the computer remains a useful tool for your kids and not something that could jeopardize their safety!

WATCH

Learn more about how to keep your child healthy Saturday May 7 at 8:30 a.m., and every Sunday starting May 15 at 10:30 a.m.

PLAY

Exercise should be a part of every child's life. From the time a baby is born until they are adults, exercise is an important part for overall health. Add a little fun to your childs' exercise routine and they will learn to stay fit beginning at an early age and throughout their lifetime.

Freeze Dance

Listen to your children's favorite songs and play freeze dance. Designate one person to yell out "Freeze!" and stop the music. Your child must freeze and hold that position until the music starts again. If they move, they are out. The last child standing can be the one who calls out freeze and stops the music on the next turn.

Chase Bubbles

A very simple game that can be enjoyed indoors and outdoors. Have an adult use several types of bubbles. Make sure to blow them fast and in various directions. Your children can chase the bubbles and jump to try and pop them. Children will not even notice that they are excercising while running and jumping after the bubbles.

GROW

Books for Kids

Yoga Games for Children: Fun and Fitness With Postures, Movements, and Breath by Danielle Bersma, Marjoke Visscher, Alex Kooistra This introduction to yoga for children contains variations on traditional yoga postures that help children develop physical strength, flexibility, emotional calm, and self-expression. The games involve relaxation, trust, and cooperation. Included are over 50 illustrations and 16 completely structured lessons based on themes like the seasons, rain, snow, and animals.

Bubble Bubble by Mercer Mayer A little boy creates all sorts of fantastic animals with his magic bubble maker

Books for Parents

Healthy Food for Healthy Kids: A Practical and Tasty Guide to Your Child's Nutrition by Bridget Swinney. This book offers quick, simple recipes to help parents cook healthy meals for their children. In addition, it presents tips that parents can use to help their children transition from bottle-feeding to solid foods, and to maintain a balanced diet.

Awesome Foods for Active Kids: The ABC's of Eating for Energy and Health by Anita Bean. In this book, Anita Bean explains how you can make sure than any active child from 5 to 16 is getting a healthy diet. The book describes the basics of nutrition and offers suggestions about what foods children can eat to obtain the nutrients they need. Separate chapters discuss overweight children, children in sports, fussy eaters and eating at school.