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www.FredParent.NET • • • 19 www.FredParent.NET • • • 19 www.FredParent.NET • • • 19 bY NINA PARRISH, M.ED. bY NINA PARRISH, M.ED. The Health and Learning Connection W e all remember our mothers warning us not to eat too much sugar, or it would make us hyperactive; telling us if we were cranky, that we should get off the couch and go play outside. If you are also a mom like me, you may be thinking, of course, that this is common sense. After all these years, scientists now seem to be get- ting behind what mothers may have known all along: kids need a healthy diet and exercise. It is good for them and affects how they learn. Diet can have a huge impact on how your child learns. A high fat diet can cause irritability, changes in behavior, and more difficulty taking in information and remembering. In contrast, a healthy diet may increase learning and memo- ry. kids who are taught about healthy eating score higher in listening and speaking, math and on standardized tests. Exercise can also help kids think by increasing brain activity. Moderate exercise, like a walk around the school building, can result in better test scores. This is especially true for students who are overweight. Participating in 20-40 minutes of aerobic exercise can improve their overall ability to organize thoughts, manage their time, make decisions and prioritize tasks. So there you have it: healthy eating and exercise can cause changes in the brain that actually do have an effect on kid's learning and behavior. So what can you do to make sure that your child is ready to learn? Visit a pediatrician to make sure that your child is eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise to perform well and reach their potential in school. 1. Visit a pediatrician to make sure that your child is eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise to perform well and reach their potential in school. 2. use the numerous resources available online and locally to teach your kids healthy eating habits and an active life style. Here are a few to try: Sesame Street Healthy Habits Page: http://bit.ly/sesame-street-healthy-habits Let's Move: www.letsmove.gov/eat-healthy Dr. Yum: www.doctoryum.com/ 3. Model healthy choices by prepar- ing and eating healthy meals with your child and participating in exercise and active recreational activities as a family. Nina owns a tutoring business and lives in Spotsylvania with her husband and daughter. Central Rappahannock Regional Library • 540-372-1144 • LibraryPoint.org 2014 TEEN Entries accepted April 1-14 at LibraryPoint.org/teenpoetry Grades 7-12 Winners receive cash prizes & are invited to read their work at the Headquarters Library.