Keeping Kids Active
Nicole Wyatt, media specialist at University of Alabama at Birmingham, advises how to keep kids active and eating right when school is out.
Before coming to University of Alabama at Birmingham, Nicole Wyatt was a broadcaster, working as a reporter/anchor for CBS 42 News in Birmingham and WVUA-TV in Tuscaloosa. She is from Pennsylvania, and came south to attend the University of Alabama, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication and film. Wyatt is currently working on a master’s degree in health studies.
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School's out for the summer, giving kids the green light for fun free time. Parents wanting to make sure it's not all lazy days ahead, take note - you need to plan a summer road map for your child.
"Set an expectation of doing something at the house. Chores, go to your library for a summer reading list, set some goals, and really set some rewards for your young person participating in any sort of this program."
Dr. Stephanie Wallace is a UAB professor of pediatrics. She says kids have built-in activity during the school year, and that shouldn't slump during the summer if you want to keep them healthy.
"If they have your permission to go outside the house and go play basketball with their friends, or spend some time in the neighborhood, figure out what your neighborhood's like, if it's safe for your young person to do so, and really encourage them to do so."
While the kids are at play, be sure to keep them hydrated with water, not sugary drinks. Summer is a good time to help teach them to make the right choices.
"Get the kids involved in choosing the foods that you're going to keep around the house. Take them grocery shopping and say, "Okay, here are some healthy choices, which ones of these do you guys want to be snacking on this next weeks?"
Beth Kitchin, a UAB professor of nutrition sciences, says sweets can be in their diets every so often, which will help keep kids on track.
"One of the keys is to keep healthy foods in the house. Keep a lot of fruit. Keep a lot of whole grain granola bars. But don't deprive the kids, either."