Resources

Children in Balance™ has designed and implemented in- and after-school curricula, planning guides, and toolkits to assist parents, teachers, pediatricians and community leaders in creating an environment that promotes healthy eating and active living. For more information e-mail childreninbalance@tufts.edu.

Tools for Researchers

• Shape Up Somerville Baseline Family Survey (PDF)
• Shape Up Somerville Dietary Intake Survey (PDF)

Tools for Community Leaders

• Physicians Make a Difference-Encouraging Healthy Families (PDF)
• Guide to Creating Healthy Meetings (PDF)
• Shape Up First Year Results Presentation (PDF)

Tools for Families

• Healthy Snack Guides (PDF) (También Disponible en Español)
• Family Plan for a Healthier Future (PDF)
• Supermarket Smarts (PDF)
• Screen Time (PDF)

Retooling the School Environment

• School Fundraisers: Alternatives to Food Sales (PDF)
• School Gardening (PDF)
• Walking to School (PDF)

Healthy Out-of-School Time

• The HEAT Club After School Curriculum (PDF)

• The BONES Project (PDF)

Recommended Nutrition and Physical Activity Websites

For Parents

• http://www.kidshealth.org

• http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

• http://www.askdrsears.com

• http://www.drgreen.com

• http://nutritionforkids.com

• http://www.mypyramid.gov

• http://www.cdc.gov/parents/

Children’s Medical Information

• http://medlineplus.gov/

• http://www.aap.org/

For Schools

• http://www.schoolnutrition.org/

For Kids

• www.kidnetic.com

• http://nutritionforkids.com (Just for Kids section)

• http://staging.vpi.net/verb_revamp/game_generator/

• http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/kids_game.html

Massachusetts Resources

• Massachusetts Action for Healthy Kids: Find out what’s happening in Massachusetts related to improving children’s nutrition and increasing physical activity, which will in turn increase their readiness to learn.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation: Information on improving/expanding access to health care. Grants available periodically.
• Jump Up and Go!: Jump Up & Go! is a multidimensional program that can help children, their families, and their communities become more physically active and develop lifelong healthy behaviors.
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Information on Massachusetts’ health news, various health topics, and recreational camps for children.
• New England Dairy Council: See link for educators for helpful resources.
• Mass in Motion: Mass in Motion aims to promote wellness and to prevent overweight and obesity in Massachusetts – with a particular focus on the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.

National Resources

• TV Turnoff.org: Information on TV Turnoff Week and ideas on alternatives to watching TV.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention Body and Mind (Teachers Corner): Information on ways to incorporate health, science, and safety topics into the classroom
• MyPyramid.gov (New Food Pyramid): Explanation of the revised food guide pyramid along with ability to get recommendations on your individualized My Pyramid Plan.
• Food Pyramid for Young Children: Tips for using the food guide pyramid for children between the ages of 2-6 with classroom activity ideas.
• USDA: For Educators: Information for educators about promoting nutrition in the classroom and in your school with a recommended booklist, curriculum ideas, and gardening tips.
• Dole 5 A Day for Teachers: Some classroom materials can be printed free and other materials can be ordered free with a simple registration.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: This site offers links for Programs and Campaigns focused on nutrition and/or physical activity.