Namaste Shares!
Tips and Tools: At School
Tips for bringing Namaste practices to your child’s school:
While you can’t be with your child all day at school, here are some tips and suggestions for making your child’s school a healthier place.
- Get involved. Learn more about what’s happening at your child’s school. Get to know his teachers, join the PTA or volunteer at school activities. The government now requires that your school has a wellness policy – become familiar with the school’s policies and see how you can help.
- Start your own walking school bus. Create a walking route that goes from your house to the school and help by picking up kids on your way. Or drop your kids off one block from the school and have a “shuttle” of walkers going to school from that spot. Get the day started right with some exercise!
- Look at lunch. If your child eats lunch at school, review the cafeteria menus ahead of time to help your child make healthy choices. If you pack you child’s lunch, keep it healthy. Offer options and let your child make his own creations – he’ll be more likely to enjoy his lunch and will learn about health and nutrition in the process.
- Celebrate healthy. While birthdays are a time to celebrate, birthday treats at school can become excessive. Make your cupcakes mini, or pack a healthy trail mix in individual birthday bags to help your child celebrate his birthday in a healthy way.
- Help plan a field trip. Work with your child’s teacher and contact your local grocery store for a field trip to the fresh produce section. They might even cut up some fruits and veggies for the students to try.
- Create a healthy fundraiser. Does your child have a fundraising bake sale? Try a healthy recipe or create a book of healthy recipes instead. You also can suggest non-food related fundraisers like holding a car wash or organizing a walk-a-thon.
- Namaste Shares! Suggest www.NamasteShares.org as a resource for your child’s teacher!