Know Your Heart

Parents of Young Children

The Hope Heart Institute is a local non-profit serving the Northwest through heart research and education.   Many things impact a young child’s ability to thrive. Health is one of them.

•    One out of every two children entering kindergarten is not prepared for school.
•    In Washington State, as many as 15% of children aged 2-4 years are obese.
•    Facilitated play works. When children engage in physical activity on the playground, the intensity and duration of their movement may not be sufficient to ensure health, fitness and motor development. Such a pattern of activity-rest-activity is to be expected but suggests adults need to provide enticing self-directed play spaces and experiences AND some structured activities to encourage children to move on the playground for more than just a few minutes a day.

With a heart for families and children, we’re making an effort to connect parents of young children with resources that promote healthy lifestyles and health literacy as well as support Kindergarten readiness. The following tools support active play, healthy nutrition and a reduction in screen-time.

We hope you enjoy the following resources. This page of our site is also a work in progress. We welcome your feedback and recommendations for additional resources that can make the page an even greater asset to parents. Please contact Laurie Sween: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 425.456.8730.

Fall	Winter
Activities Dancing Spinner – PDF Move Together – PDF Movement Grab Bag – PDF Move Along – PDF The Count Counts Moves – PDF Anytime Apples – PDF I Say Fruits and Vegetables – PDF Recipes · Corn Chowder - PDF Zesty Tomato Soup - PDF Roasted Root Vegetables - PDF Bulgar Chickpea Salad - PDF Amazing Apple Recipes - PDF Coloring Pages · My Plate – Option 1, Option 2, Spanish Color Your Salad - PDF	Activities Move To Me Maze – PDF The Heart Dance – PDF Telly’s Triangle Tag – PDF Listen To Your Body – PDF Sesame Super Stretch – PDF Energy Dance – PDF Great Grocery Shopping Tips – PDF Recipes Berry Bread Pudding - PDF Carribbean Casserole - PDF Lentil Chili - PDF Mediterranean Pasta Soup - PDF Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad - PDF Coloring Pages Find the Fruit and Veggies - PDF Build Me A Salad - PDF Eat More Whole Grains - PDF
Spring	Summer
Activities · I’m So Glad You Came! – PDF Jumping Jack Freeze – PDF Emotional Movements – PDF Home Dance – Playground Dance – PDF Hey Everybody, Let’s Make A Shape – PDF If You’re Hungry and You Know It – PDF Hungry-Full Meter – PDF Recipes · Lemon Velvet Supreme - PDF Rise and Shine Breakfast Cobbler - PDF 20-minute Chicken Creole - PDF Grilled Veggie Pita - PDF Pepper and Onion Fritata - PDF Coloring Pages · Fruit and Veggie Crown - PDF What comes next? - PDF	Activities Shape Shifting – PDF Yes Game – PDF Magical Zoo – PDF If I were a…, I would move like this - PDF What’s On My Feet? – PDF Indoor Nature Journey – PDF Mystery Food Box – PDF Recipes Cucumber Yogurt Dip - PDF Outtasight Salad - PDF Frozen Fruit Cups - PDF Fire and Ice Watermelon - PDF Salmon Patties - PDF Coloring Pages Healthy Eating Worksheets - PDF Food Group Coloring Pages - PDF

OTHER RESOURCES

Educational:
•    Healthy Homes Newsletter (English/Spanish)
•    Sleeping
•    Child Care and Preschool Options
•    Kindergarten Readiness
•    100 Books Every Child Should Hear Before Kindergarten – PDF
•    Entertainment

Physical Activity:
•    Get Moving Today Activity Calendar (English and Spanish)
•    Movement Experiences for Ages 0-3 (English and Spanish)
•    Activities for Ages 3-5 (English and Spanish)

Nutrition:
•    Healthy Eating Habits – Kid Size Food Portions
•    Make Food Fun for Picky Eaters
•    Food Safety
•    Age Appropriate Kitchen Activities for Preschoolers