The National Afterschool Association (NAA) publishes fresh, new content every week covering a wide variety of topics related to the field of aftershool. This week, the HPRC’s Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) Initiative was featured. Jill Nicholson Cox, MS, RD, a Program Development Specialist at Penn State Better Kid Care, discusses the importance of thinking creatively to keep kids healthy and active through social distancing and other best practices to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“As programs are planning and beginning to reopen, it’s important to think of ways to help young people stay healthy through social distancing and other best practices related to prevention of the spread of coronavirus. Now, more than ever, it’s critical to encourage youth to get outdoors to be active and creative in ways to help them continue to include physical activity and other practices supporting good health.
How recently have you taken time to observe and assess the ways in which your afterschool program supports the health of children in the communities you serve? What are some of the biggest challenges you face in engaging children in physical activity and making healthy eating choices?…..”
In September 2019, Better Kid Care, a Penn State Extension program, launched a new module on their website featuring the Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) initiative.
Better Kid Care provides evidence-informed professional development to early care and education and youth development professionals to improve the quality of their care and educational practices. Online training is available for child care professionals with more than 200 relevant modules.