No Child Left Inside Health Workgroup

Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids Jessica Talamo, M.A.T. School Health Education Consultant Michigan Department of Community Health

Workshop Overview

This presentation will raise awareness of the connections between the health of young children and a healthy school environment, with emphasis on the benefits of exposure to the outdoors. It will show how these benefits can be strengthened through collaboration, including the efforts of the No Child Left Inside Coalition.

What is The No Child Left Inside Coalition?

"No Child Left Inside" initiatives aim to connect the more wired and scheduled youth of today with the outdoors through special programs. Coalitions are forming across the U.S. which include environmental organizations, nature centers, natural resource agencies, math and science centers, health organizations and businesses.

Vision: Michigan’s children will have the opportunity to experience nature through outdoor play and discovery.

The Michigan No Child Left Inside Coalition is committed to promoting activities and policies that will help our children reconnect with nature through outdoor play and exploration, recreational opportunities, and hands-on environmental education.

How is health impacted by spending time outside?

Examples?

No Child Left Inside Coalition Goals

Encourage exploration and play in the outdoors as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Provide access and opportunity for outdoor learning and play to all children.

Prepare parents, care-givers & teachers to be mentors and advocates for reconnecting children and nature.

Work with communities, organizations, education institutions, planners and policy makers to identify, develop and protect areas for outdoor play exploration and education.

Provide opportunities for agencies, organizations and other interests to share knowledge and build partnerships in efforts related to children and nature.

www.mi-ncli.org

Statement: “Outdoor play and exploration is essential to the physical and mental well being of children. Studies have shown that children who regularly play outside are more creative, have improved attention spans and test scores, and show fewer signs of obesity.”

2009 Michigan Summit

Was held on June 25 th , 2009 at the Kellogg Conference Center in East Lansing, MI

Sought to identify interest and capacity of five workgroups to implement action plans that will ultimately get Michigan kids outdoors and advance quality environmental education for teachers.

Groups continued to meet over the summer of 2009 and with a deadline to report out progress on October 10 th at the MAEOE conference in Dearborn, MI.

NCLI Workgroups

Community Planning

Environmental Literacy

Health Education

Mentoring Outdoor Experiences

Teacher and Informal Environmental Education Professional Development

Structure of Health Workgroup

Why focus on school health?

CSHP Model: This is a nationally recognized model, supported by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which ties into health improvement teams and other initiatives already in place in many Michigan schools, and makes Michigan’s effort replicable anywhere in the United States

Coordinated School Health Programs Health Services Healthy School Environment Health Promotion for Staff Nutrition Services Family/ Community Involvement Physical Education Counseling, Psychological & Social Services Health Education

Seed Questions:

What do I (we) already do that supports and/or promotes No Child Left Inside?

What more do I (we) need to know to effectively connect with other No Child Left Inside efforts?

What more do others need to know to effectively connect with the Michigan NCLI Coalition Health Workgroup?

What new opportunities for collaboration do I see in participating in No Child Left Inside efforts?

How do I envision my contribution to the work of the Michigan NCLI Coalition Health Workgroup?

A-Ha Moments

Connection between nature and psychological health

Parents can be a barrier to kids going outside (stranger danger) over/under parenting

Family Nature Clubs are a great idea!

Nutrition days at school engage and teach parents

Safety concerns still important: helmets, sun block, air quality

Rx for play pads – great idea

Connecting resources with schools (schools/nature/landscape)

Make fundraisers greener, sell seeds, recycled wrapping paper, work with greenhouses for Mother’s Day, etc

Farmer’s Markets are popular, encourage home and community gardens

Landscaping in playgrounds, having natural areas

Asthma goes down when there are tree lined streets, look at environmental triggers

Allow free play and teach kids self regulation

Get kids outside early or they will get into technology rut

What is already being done?

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, proclaimed April 20-25, 2009 as "No Child Left Inside" days encouraging children and adults to take some time and rediscover the wonders of the outdoors.

Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights

Lansing Setting An Example:

http://www.lansingmi.gov/parks/kidsbillrts/index.jsp

What is It? Part of the National No Child Left Inside movement, Lansing has adopted an Outdoor Bill of Rights for Children as a way to get kids and families energized about getting off the couch, away from the TV, and exploring the great out-of-doors. Lansing has 1,800 acres of park land; dozens of activities, programs and special events designed for outdoor fun and fitness.

How Does the Program Work? Each right contains programs that will strengthen the awareness of Lansing’s youth to the outdoors. After participating in an outdoor program, youth are given a wristband pertaining to the right that the program falls under. Once a wristband is collected from each of the ten rights, youth receive a t-shirt and a certificate that signifies the completion of the program.

Children’s Outdoor Bill Of Rights