Smart from the Start
As with the building of any structure, laying a solid foundation is crucial for future stability. Building toward children’s futures should be no different. Children are tested on ABC’s, time-telling and colors throughout early education, why not nutrition and fitness? By implementing health-based early childhood education, kids are set up for a lifetime of positive activity and nutritional choices.
The new Smart from the Start program, brought to you by the Together Counts™ program of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and Discovery Education, provides a number of resources for preschoolers, parents and educators to create an environment in which children start thinking about being healthy and active from an early age.
Debuting this fall, Smart from the Start is committed to providing resources to ensure that children and their families are leading an active, healthy lifestyle and are aware of the resources available for making nutritionally sound choices.
Recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative for commitment to improve energy balance education, the Smart from the Start program’s educational efforts include:
- Grants – with support from HWCF member the National PTA, schools and communities across the nation have the opportunity to apply for a number of grants and other prizes to help them implement a health initiative at their school. Overall, the Smart from the Start program will award a total of $500,000 in grants, training and awards to eligible schools
- “Me and My Choices” and “Give It a Try!” Pre-K curriculum –Lesson plans are aligned with developmentally-appropriate activities which allow teachers to integrate the subject matter throughout the year or as a 20 day unit. These lessons align with popular preschool health initiatives such as Head Start, NAEYC, WIC, SNAP-Ed and NASPE among others.
By starting energy balance education early, and keeping lessons lighthearted, kids will be excited to create health conscious habits that are sure to continue well into adulthood. For more information or sample Pre-K wellness resources, visit TogetherCounts.com or click here for Spanish guidance.
About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,100 commitments, which are already improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $69.2 billion. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative.
Learn more:
- Learn more on Together Counts
- Apply today