Healthy Dearborn – Fun, Healthy Resources

Physical Activity:

Turkey Hop!

Thanksgiving is a time to have fun with friends and family! Follow along with Coach Gelardi with PhysEdZOne and try the Turkey Hop with your family.

PhysEdZone: “Turkey Hop” Thanksgiving PE warm-up  

After Dancing to the Turkey Hop, you can cool down with some Thanksgiving mindfulness. This is a great way to help your kids focus on what they are thankful for!

Nutrition:

November is squash month! Squash is a nutritious fruit and winter squash is a staple during the cooler months. Winter squash comes in many varieties including acorn squash, butternut squash, pumpkin, and spaghetti squash. It can be roasted, steamed, and even cooked in the microwave. Make sure to pick a winter squash that that has a firm outer shell and feels heavy for its size. Once you purchase your winter squash, store it in a dry place like the countertop. See what is available at your local grocery store or farmers market and check out this Roasted Butternut Squash Soup recipe from Michigan Harvest of the Month.

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Covid Resources:

Help Children Learn at Home

Stay in touch with your child’s school

  • Many schools are offering lessons online (virtual learning). Review assignments from the school, and help your child establish a reasonable pace for completing the work. You may need to assist your child with turning on devices, reading instructions, and typing answers.
  • Communicate challenges to your school. If you face technology or connectivity issues, or if your child is having a hard time completing assignments, let the school know.

Create a flexible schedule and routine for learning at home

  • Have consistent bedtimes and get up at the same time, Monday through Friday.
  • Structure the day for learning, free time, healthy meals and snacks, and physical activity.
  • Allow flexibility in the schedule—it’s okay to adapt based on your day.

Consider the needs and adjustment required for your child’s age group

  • The transition to being at home will be different for preschoolers, K-5, middle school students, and high school students. Talk to your child about expectations and how they are adjusting to being at home versus at school.
  • Consider ways your child can stay connected with their friends without spending time in person.

Look for ways to make learning fun

  • Have hands-on activities, like puzzles, painting, drawing, and making things.
  • Independent play can also be used in place of structured learning. Encourage children to build a fort from sheets or practice counting by stacking blocks.
  • Practice handwriting and grammar by writing letters to family members. This is a great way to connect and limit face-to-face contact.
  • Start a journal with your child to document this time and discuss the shared experience.
  • Use audiobooks or see if your local library is hosting virtual or live-streamed reading events.

Ask about school meal services

Check with your school on plans to continue meal services during the school dismissal. Many schools are keeping school facilities open to allow families to pick up meals or are providing grab-and-go meals at a central location.

Fun Online Family Activities

Free, federal resources to learn something new from the comfort of your own home

Learn more here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children/learning.html

*Click here to submit feedback and additional ways Healthy Dearborn can help support you and your family with physical activity, nutrition and/or Covid resources.  

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