January 11, 2010
“Head Start”
What is Fit
WIC????
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Fit WIC is a multi-state
project funded under
the 1999 WIC Special
Projects Grant.
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How did we get here?
• The original Kentucky Fit WIC Activity Kit
produced in 2000 was adapted from the
Vermont WIC Program Fit WIC Project.
• Thanks goes to Dianna Colson, CN and Terri
Thorpe, Administrative Support Staff who
coordinated the original Kentucky Fit WIC
Activity Kit.
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Vermont’s Discovery…
• Vermont found that parents/caregivers
were more likely to accept messages
regarding the need for increased physical
activity than messages about dietary
changes.
• As a result, the Fit WIC Activity Kit was
developed.
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Mission
(to boldly go where no one has gone before…)
…to develop programs to prevent
overweight in young children receiving
WIC services
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Main Goal
• To help increase the time young
children spend playing actively!
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Where are we now?
Ten years later…
the Kentucky Fit WIC
Activity Kit has been updated.
• New items have been added to the kit
and the guide has been revised.
• We are rolling it out to you!
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The “Kit” is a resource for:
• Educators of families with young
children including WIC, Head Start,
childcare and preschool providers
• Parent and other caregivers
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KY Fit WIC Physical Activity “Kit”
The “Kit” offers a “grab bag” of
ideas for you to choose from in
providing group sessions, community
programs, etc.
All pages may be reproduced for
parents to “take home”.
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Activities in this kit are
designed to help children:
Play more actively
Learn important play skills
Build confidence and self-esteem
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Fit WIC Physical Activity “Kit” Items
The activity “Kit” comes in a canvas bag
and contains seventeen items:
A revised Fit WIC Educator’s Guide
2 beach balls (6 & 12 inch)
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Items in the “Kit” (cont.)
2 music CDs:
“Six Little Ducks”
CD
…and either
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Items in the “Kit” (cont.)
“Catch a Brain or “Exercise &
Wave Fitness” Nutrition Songs”
CD CD
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Items in the “Kit” (cont.)
Two Berenstain Bears books:
“The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV”
“The Berenstain Bears
and Too Much Junk Food”
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Items in the “Kit” (cont.)
A coloring book
“We are Fit
and Healthy”
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Items in the “Kit” (cont.)
Three brochures in English & Spanish:
“Playing with Your Baby”
“Playing with Your Toddler”
“Playing with Your
3 to 5
Year Old”
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Items in the “Kit” (cont.)
Booklet in English & Spanish:
“Children Growing Healthy”
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Items in the “Kit” (cont.)
Activity booklet
“Fun on the Run”
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The Fit WIC Activity “Guide”
The “Guide” is divided into four sections:
1. Educator’s Guide
2. Everyday activities
for outside & inside
3. Quiet time activities
4. Skill-building activities
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Educator’s Guide
Activities chosen for this kit follow
the guidelines set out by the
MyActivity Pyramid.
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Sample from “Educator’s Guide”
Active Toys You Can Make At Home
Balancing Tubes:
Use paper towel tubes
to carry around a ball
balanced on one end.
The bigger the ball, the more difficult to
balance. You can try running with the tubes
or passing the ball from tube to tube.
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Everyday Activities
• Take advantage of your child’s
natural activity level by teaching
him to help you inside and outside
the house.
• This is a good
alternative to
watching TV.
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Sample from “Everyday Activities”
Cold Weather Activities Warm Weather Activities
Go for a walk outside Jump in puddles
Play in leaves or snow Weed or water the garden
Make a snowman Play with sand, pails, shovels
Help rake leaves Help wash the car
Help shovel snow Run through a sprinkler
Go sledding Splash in a wading pool
Play music, stretch/dance Ride a tricycle or bike
Play inside Play outside
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Quiet Time Activities
Quiet
Time…
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Sample from “Quiet Time Activities”
It’s much easier to get kids wound-up than wound-down!
• Their minds need time to transition
• Give them time to stop slowly, for example say:
¤ “We have about 10 minutes”
¤ “We have about 5 more minutes”
¤ “Okay, time for one last slide…
then we’re out of here”
• Develop a regular cool down routine
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Skill Building Activities
• Preschoolers learn by moving,
imitating and following examples.
• A parent/caregiver is the child’s most
important teacher.
• Skills taught through active play will
build self confidence and help a child
feel comfortable about being active
the rest of their lives!
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Sample from “Skill Building Activities”
Rhythmic movement and balance
Freeze Dancing (2 or more players)
• Equipment: Music
• Procedure: Put on music CD.
Explain that when music stops
…everyone freezes.
Start dancing when the
music comes on again.
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Suggested Items to Purchase
• Roll of Masking Tape
• Bean Bags
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Paper towel tubes
• Soft Balls (for inside play)
• Washable markers
• Glue Sticks
• Magazine photos
• Wrapping paper
• Colored poster paper
(See Educator’s Guide for Complete List)
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Sample Schedule
Breakfast, help make the beds
Outdoor play
Drink of water, snack, story
Help mom pick up, practicing related skills
(tossing clothes in laundry basket, etc.)
Indoor game with music
Lunch and rest time
(if child no longer naps suggest a favorite quiet
time activity)
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Sample Schedule (cont.)
Outdoor play (trip to the park
or grocery store)
Snack and a story (act out the parts)
Help put laundry away
Help make dinner, set the table
Dinner followed by a walk around the block
Bath, story and bed
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Come join us
for Fit WIC
FUN!!
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