Kids learn about being active during visit from health department
JACKSON, Tenn. — The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department came to East Elementary School on Friday to educate kids about the importance of staying active.
“Encouraging students to partake in physical activities with their parents and classmates. It is just to encourage those health activities that they can take with them through childhood, adulthood, and even positively affect generations beyond,” said Shenika Bond, Public Health Educator for the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department.
With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, staying active can also help with this illness.
Amanda Johnson, a Public Health Educator with the health department, says breast cancer affects many people, and it is never too early to start taking care of your health.
“Getting these kids started now is the key. Getting the family to do it as a family activity and taking that time out to spend with your children and doing that education piece with them is key,” Johnson said.
East Elementary student Allie says she has a few ways that she likes to do to exercise.
“My favorite thing to do is the arm circles, and I also like to do the monkey bars,” she said.
Principal Amanda Brabham and teacher Allison Scruggs say teaching students about staying active helps them stay both mentally and physically healthy.
“Anybody doing something positive like, ‘Hey! Exercise is fun. It is important to move and make good decisions to eat right or get a good amount of sleep.’ I think that sets a good tone from a very early age,” Scruggs said.
“If our students are healthy, if they are physically able to walk, run, hop, skip or any kind of physical activity, it is good for them. We want them to be healthy, not just physically, but socially and emotionally as well,” Brabham said.
Brabham says they also keep the activity going in the classroom with stretch breaks.
You can find more local news through the WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News app.
