Three Ways Team Sports Like the Danone Nations Cup Build Life Skills for Children

June 21, 2017 by Kathryn 13 Comments

Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and Danone and have received compensation for this post. All opinions in the post are my own.

In our house, spring is sports season. And it’s a time we take pretty seriously! In fact, three out of every five weekdays are spent either on the soccer field or the baseball diamond, with practices and tournaments in between as well! While it can sometimes be hard to get kids interested in a team sport, finding one that suits them really is worth the effort. Not only is it a great way to ensure kids stay active, it provides so many other benefits beyond physical activity. These are just a few of the life skills I’ve seen my boys develop since they started playing team sports:

Cooperation

One of the best things about team sports is that no matter which one a child chooses, the sport will have different positions that play different essential roles in the game. My baseball-playing oldest is usually on second base, a position that suits him well since he has a strong arm and good base skills. But that same strong arm means he’s often also put in the outfield, a position any baseball fan knows isn’t always the most exciting. That’s the thing about a team sport, though. The player in right field is just as essential to the game as the pitcher, and just as likely to win a game with a great catch. [Read more…]

All Kids Get to Play with the Igniting Fitness Possibilities Program at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

January 22, 2016 by Kathryn 34 Comments

With childhood obesity on the rise and outdoor play declining, the importance of physical activity is something that’s been heavily emphasized in recent years. Parents are being made more and more aware of how crucial regular exercise is for their child’s overall health and well-being. And new programs are making it easy for kids to take part in all kinds of different sports and activities. But one of the benefits of physical activity that isn’t discussed nearly as often is the social aspect. And for a child that doesn’t feel confident about their abilities, the fear of being mocked or excluded by peers can be a huge barrier to taking part in any type of sport.

Holland Bloorview X National Bank from Jimmy Lee on Vimeo.

Luckily, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is changing that with the Igniting Fitness Possibilities program. Designed to bring together children of all skill levels, both with disabilities and without, the program helps make physical activity fun for everyone while encouraging social interaction and acceptance at the same time. [Read more…]

Help Kids Stay Fit with the T-Fal ActiFry and Healthy Cooking for Healthy Kids Program

March 18, 2015 by Kathryn 39 Comments

Teaching kids about healthy eating is important, but it can also be challenging! As much as my boys enjoy raw vegetables and fresh fruit, they also like fries, burgers and sweet desserts. Finding a balance between the healthy food and the junk is a constant job in this house! T-Fal Canada understands that teaching kids about proper nutrition can be a challenge, and that’s why the company is relaunching last year’s Healthy Cooking for Healthy Kids program. Packed with handy resources for eating well and staying active, it’s a great way to get kids excited about healthy living.

One of my favourite aspects of this program is the fact that it encourages physical activity as well as good eating. I was shocked to learn that only 7% of Canada’s youth meet the guideline of 60 minutes of physical activity per day. By keeping track of activities and offering fun rewards, the website provides fun solutions to get kids excited to move! [Read more…]