December 15, 2005
Jacob Bierley (center) and his grandmother Nellie Wassilie (left), who live in Bethel, are given a playtime ball by WIC Dietitian Laina Frase (right).
Playtime... So Good For Me
Looking to spend more quality time with your children? Turn "playtime" into family time!
"Playtime...so good for me" is a marketing campaign that was developed by the Alaska WIC Agency in order to help Alaskan families make decisions for life-long health and wellbeing. With the support of the USDA and the Alaska WIC Program, "Playtime" helps to provide local agencies with physical activity and nutrition education materials that send an accurate and consistent message to WIC participants. In order to encourage family participation in physical activity and child development, local WIC agencies distribute the " Playtime" activity packages to WIC families with children ages 1 to 5. In November, our Bethel WIC Program received 400 "Playtime" packages. This winter, WIC will distribute these packages to randomly selected WIC families throughout the Delta.
The "Playtime" activity package includes a bright yellow inflatable ball and information on suggested activities for the ball, as well as other tips for increasing physical activity. With winter here, "Playtime" can help families to keep moving indoors when the weather doesn't permit outdoor play. "Straddle Ball," "Froggie Up and Over," and " Score!" are all fun, age-appropriate games that are recommended for " Playtime" ball use. These games help to hand-body, hand-eye, and other body control skills in growing children.
For families who do not receive a "Playtime" package, the campaign has other recommendations for staying physically active:
- Start a new family tradition and create memories with active play.
- Dance and move to music
- Play active games indoors and outdoors: hop scotch, hind-n-seek, Red Rover
- Take a walk together
- Let babies crawl and explore (under a watchful eye, of course!)
- Encourage children to be active. Let them play and have fun with jump ropes, hula hoops, somersaults.
- Teach younger children new skills, such as throwing and kicking a ball or shooting or dribbling a basketball.
- Try jumping jacks, push-ups, and marching in place
- Build a snow maze
- Turn off the TV one night a week, and play games or take a walk instead
- Add a 10 minute activity break for every hour sitting
For more information about YKHC's WIC Program call 1-800-764-6459 or 907-543-6459