It’s the start of a new year…school year, that is. So, just like on January 1, why not set some resolutions?

You have a fresh start and great opportunity to take actions toward improving the health and wellness of your kids so that they are better able to focus and learn this year. We encourage you to set your own resolutions, but to get you started, here are a few suggestions.

1. Create routines that foster healthy habits at home.

   Prepare healthy snacks or meals that fit your schedule and limit screen time to a certain number of hours per week. If it helps, hang up a whiteboard calendar that you and your children can use to incorporate new routines.

2. Make sure your children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

   This is key especially on weekends and holidays when they’re not in school.

3. Get engaged with or volunteer at your child’s school.

   Find out what kinds of health and wellness programs and policies they have. Take a tour of the school, go to some events, or even initiate one they don’t currently do, like Take Your Parents to PE or a Walk to School Day event.

4. Find out if your child’s school has a school health or wellness team and join it.

5. Familiarize yourself with your school’s or district’s policies around nutrition and physical activity.

6. If you see room for improvement, advocate for better practices. This could entail simply contacting an administrator or school board member with your concerns or gathering a bunch of people who support your cause to help change the tide.