Classroom Wellness
The classroom is the perfect place to promote lifelong fitness and healthy habits to students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Oral hygiene
- Start early to form healthy teeth-brushing habits.
- Suggest natural toothpastes such as Tom's of Maine and Natural Dentist and eco-friendly toothbrushes.
- Invite a dental hygienist to speak to the class and demonstrate proper brushing techniques.
Nutrition
- Take a new approach to nutrition discussions by weaving healthy themes into classroom curriculum. Count calories in math class, discuss the diets of early pioneers, use geography to talk about indigenous foods and do science experiments with food. All of these can be more fun than lecturing about nutrition.
- Try a Freaky Food Day to introduce kids to new fruits and vegetables, such as quinoa or acai.
Stress Reduction Techniques
- Take a few minutes before class starts or before (or after) a test to practice deep breathing exercises. Simple visualization, positive thinking and mental rehearsal techniques will also help kids develop coping and stress-relief tools to last the rest of their lives.
- The Centers for Disease Control's website, BAM! (Body and Mind), offers tips on how to stay calm, cool and collected, even under stress.
Stretching
- Why wait for gym class to stretch? Start English, math or science class with a few simple stretching exercises to relieve tension and get the blood circulating. Or take a few minutes for yoga in the middle of class to get kids moving and keep them awake.
