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Building Healthy Kids with York Region

Supportive tips and resources to help keep kids healthy. Find nutritional advice, mental health support and ideas on how to get kids active.

Give your family’s healthy habits a spring refresh!

Spring is here and school is almost out. Keep kids healthy, active, mindful, and safe all season long!

Four children of different ages standing in a row against a purple geometric background, wearing casual spring outfits.
Practice your coping skills this summer
Coping skills are important all year long. Take these breathing exercises outside this summer.
Learn more
Stay active this summer
Summer is the perfect time for children to play outside, stay active, boost their mental well-being, and build healthy habits while enjoying fresh air and sunshine.
Learn more
Let’s Cook
Cook together with kids this summer! Discover kid-friendly recipes and cooking tips.
Learn more
Alcohol and Youth
With end of school celebrations like prom coming up, talk to your kids about alcohol and help keep them safe.
Learn more
Make sure the beach water is safe
Before heading to the beach this summer, make sure the water is safe for swimming to avoid illness. Check the signs at the beach or check online for swimming advisories.
Learn more
Updating School Vaccines
Are your kids’ vaccination records handy and up to date?
Learn More

Healthy Kids All Year Long

Getting back to school ready
  • Addressing Vision Problems Early
    Have your child’s eyes checked – detect and correct problems early! Eye exams are free with an OHIP card for children 19 years of age and under
  • Healthy Smiles
    Get that healthy smile! For dental tips or learn about eligibility for free dental coverage for kids 17 years and under, visit our Dental page and check out our videos
  • Protecting Against Lyme Disease
    This fall, protect yourself and your family against Lyme disease, which is spread by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, even during colder temperatures
  • Reading Food Labels
    Learn how to read food labels to help you make informed decisions at the grocery store and support your family’s health.
  • Creating Healthy Habits
    Back to school can mean exposure to more germs, and respiratory illness season is not too far away. Maintain healthy habits to reduce the spread of illness and prevent infections: wash your hands often and stay home when you’re sick
Mental health and well-being

Mental health, or being mentally healthy, is the capacity to feel, think and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with challenges or adversity. Research shows a strong and responsive parent/caregiver-child relationship within a nurturing home environment can have a great impact on a child’s development and overall well-being. Parents/caregivers play a vital role in helping children build a solid foundation for mental health and coping skills before problems begin. When mental health problems arise, parents also play a key role in assisting their child in getting appropriate mental health supports.

Build A Mental Health Toolbox for Your Family

Why supporting mental health is important

Talking about mental health can be challenging. Talking with your child about their emotions, fears and changes in behaviour creates an environment for open communication and can help guide through life’s challenges.

Stress is a normal part of everyday life. Stress can be positive, but excessive stress can have an overwhelming and debilitating effect on our lives. The right tools in one’s toolbox sets oneself up for success in life, school and relationships.

Building your toolbox

Consider things like fidget toys, tangles and stress balls etc. These can be purchased in many stores and online and they can be used to help kids to focus and practice self-regulation. There are so many to choose from (colours/shapes/ textures). Find ones your children think are fun and interesting.  

Colouring sheets (available in the Related Resources section) can be used to help kids focus, and practice self-regulation. Older youth may like to practice mindful walking and create a walking journal or try a mindful walking activity (samples are available in Related Resources below). You can also check out these affirmation cards to help kids remind themselves of the great qualities they already possess and take the time to reflect on their amazing resiliency building characteristics.  

You can also find many online activities on breathing, gratitude, affirmations and relaxation. School Mental Health Ontario is a great place to start. They also offer tips on starting the conversation about mental health and where to get help. Kids Help Phone also provides a self-care checklist with a variety of ways for kids to take time out to focus on themselves and their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and well-being.

You can also consider adding simple things to your toolbox such as stretching and moving your body; eating a variety of health foods; listening to music; writing or drawing; or going outside to play or enjoy nature. Any activity your kids or your family enjoys can be a tool in your toolbox, Find what works for you!

Where to Get Help
  • Call/text/online chat with a counsellor 24/7 at Kids Help Phone or call 1-800-668-6868  
  • Download and use the Be Safe App
  • Reach out to the Indigenous Hope for Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310
  • Call the Black Youth Helpline 1-833-294-8650
  • Confidential, non-judgmental and informed 2SLGBTQ+ peer support youthline.ca or text 647-694-4275
  • Trans Lifeline or call 1-877-330-6366
  • Call or text 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline - a safe space to talk, 24/7 

Be the I in Kind

Parents and caregivers are in a great position to role model positive thinking and teach kids how to be kind and compassionate. Show kids how they can be the “I” in kind by doing something small that may be something big for someone else. You can encourage kids to:

  • B - Buy a meal for someone in need
  • E - Express a smile to someone who is sad
  • K - Keep it simple, be respectful and say thank you
  • I - Introduce yourself to a new student at school
  • N - Notice a positive quality about a friend and give them a compliment
  • D - Donate gently used clothing items, books, or toys you no longer play with

In addition to being kind, talk to kids about gratitude and empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathy allows us to respond with compassion by putting ourselves in another person’s shoes. Taking the time to understand someone else’s perspective teaches us to be open-minded to the feelings and viewpoints of others.

Gratitude is a feeling of happiness that comes from being grateful for someone or something in your life. It allows us to view the world through a positive lens and respond with kindness, warmth and appreciation. Gratitude has a positive effect on mental health and well-being.

When you share or express gratitude to other people, it benefits them, but it also benefits you!

When children and teens practice empathy and gratitude, they develop awareness and listening skills, learn the value of being selfless and helping others, foster positive relationships with others and strengthen existing ones, and improve their physical and mental health, and well-being.

Be the “I” in kind and feel good about the difference you make! 

For more information on mental health for children and teens, visit york.ca/HealthySchools

Related Resources  

  • Promoting Positive Mental Health for Your Child/Teen
  • The Importance of Empathy and Gratitude for Youth
  • Parent Tips for Positive Youth Mental Health
  • Mindful Walking Fact Sheet
  • Mindful Walking Journal*
  • Building Healthy Kids Colouring Sheets (EN)*
  • Building Healthy Kids Colouring Sheets (FR)*
  • Mindful Colouring Book*

*These documents are intended for print only. Alternative formats are available upon request.

External Resources

Videos:
  • Promoting Mental Health Finding a Shared Language Video
  • Promoting Positive Mental Health Canadian Paediatric Society
Resources:
  • Talking to your child about mental health
  • Mental Health Supports for parents
  • Childrens Mental Health Ontario
  • Mood Boosting Tips for Families
  • Kids Help Phone
  • Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Children’s Mental Health Ontario
  • Community Crisis Response Service
Physical activity

Physical activity helps build healthy kids!

Physical activity is an important part of healthy living, especially for children and youth. Although it may seem challenging to incorporate physical activity into busy lifestyles, finding time for kids to be physically active can bring health benefits such as developing stronger muscles and bones, a healthy heart and maintaining a healthy weight. Mental health and physical activity are also connected – what is good for the body is good for the mind!

According to Health Canada, only 37.6% of children and youth between the ages of five to 17 are reaching the recommended physical activity levels outlined in the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth. It is recommended children and youth get at least 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity.

You do not need to get your 60 minutes in all at once. Accumulating 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, and several hours of varied light physical activity is within reach by integrating movement throughout the whole day at school, home or in the community. Don’t forget to consider outdoor activity! Being active outdoors supports physical, social, and mental health for all ages. It improves mood, focus and, stress response for the whole family.

Mindful Screen Time

To make time for physical activity, consider how much time is spent in front of screens. Screens are a big part of our day, but there are many health benefits related to reducing screen time including boosting your mood and improving physical health — mindful screen time is all about balance. Encourage kids to balance screen time with other activities like sports, hobbies, and time with friends. This can help develop healthy screen time behaviour. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends no more than two hours a day of recreational screen time for children five to 17. Please visit our Pause to Play webpage for information and resources to encourage children and youth to take a pause from their devices and be more active outdoors.

It is never too early, or too late to get active and build your best day by finding time to be active. Add physical activity to the day and help your kids build healthy habits for the future!

Related Resources:

  • Whole Day PA Fact Sheet for Parents
  • Pause to Play - Tips for Parents
  • Supporting Teens with Mindful Screen Time
  • Physical Activity for Schools
  • York Region Family Fun and Things to Do
  • York Region Multi-Use Paths for Cycling
  • York Region Trail Maps
  • Concussions
  • Playground Safety

External Resources:

  • Active For Life - Games for Kids
  • Best Start - Physical Activity Ideas for Young Children
  • Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Area - Enjoy the Outdoors
  • Outside Play - Take a Risk, Go Play Outside
  • Orienteering Ontario - Want to Get Out There but Not Lost?
  • York Region Food Network - Community Gardens
  • Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
  • ParticipACTION
  • Local Municipalities
Food and nutrition

Families play a pivotal role in influencing a child’s eating habits and relationship with food.  As a family you can role model healthy eating at home, involve your child in food preparation and take the pressure off at mealtimes. Children eat best if they are trusted to know how much to eat and can decide which foods to eat (of the foods you offer).

Healthy eating is more than ingredients and nutrients, it's about building confidence in meal planning, shopping, packing lunches, cooking, and creating an environment of learning and enjoyment around food.

Your involvement and support at home can help your child learn to like new foods. Parents and caregivers also play a pivotal role in promoting a positive school food environment. Consider joining the school parent council to support and promote nutrition activities in the school. This can include starting a Student Nutrition Program, volunteering to run programs like You’re the Chef and more!

For free and confidential nutrition advice, contact Health811 to consult a Registered Dietitian.

For inquiries on public health-related topics, resources, services, and other community programs, reach out to Health Connection. Here, you can speak with a Public Health Nurse and/or a Registered Dietitian:

Phone: 1-800-361-5653
TTY: Dial 711 with a TTY device
Email: [email protected]

Related Resources:

  • Help Children and Youth Feel Good About Themselves
  • School Lunch Your Kids Will Munch (English)
  • School Lunch Your Kids Will Munch (French)
  • Healthy Beverages for Children and Adults
  • Feeding Young Children (one to five years)
  • Managing Mealtimes
  • Changing Yuck to Yum
  • 101 Questions to Ask Your Child at Mealtime
  • Kitchen Skills at Every Age
  • Cooking in the Community
  • Nutrition Resources
  • Dental Health Resources
  • Child Care Nutrition
  • Feeding Babies and Young Children
  • Parenting and Pregnancy Resources

External Resources: 

  • Packing School Lunches
  • Ellyn Satter Institute
  • EarlyON Child and Family Programs
  • Unlockfood.ca
  • Health811

Videos:

  • Healthy School Lunch Video (Government of Canada)
  • Building a Healthy Shopping List
  • Packing a Healthy School Lunch
  • How Do I Manage Picky Eaters?
Get involved!
Get involved at school

Being involved in your child’s school provides an opportunity to guide, promote and help shape a healthy school environment. 

York Region Public Health works with school staff, parents and students to identify health issues impacting the school community. We provide consultations, resources, links to community organizations, referrals to public health services and educational workshops, presentations and displays.

To get started, talk to your school administration about becoming a healthy school. You can call Access York 1-877-464-9675 or dial 711 with a TTY device to connect with your school’s Public Health Nurse who can guide you through the necessary steps.

Get involved in the community

Getting involved in your community helps you make friends, feel connected, and create a positive impact. 

Current opportunities

Markham Youth Voice

Are you 14 to 17 years old and living in the South Markham Area? We need your help to plan a project for your community. 

York Region Public Health’s Healthy Living Division is collaborating with youth aged 14 to17 to enhance their sense of connection and value within their community. The Markham Youth Voice initiative will use a community development approach to identify local needs, plan solutions, and take action to address the priorities and concerns of young people in the Milliken, South Markham area. 

What’s in it for you?

  • Make new friends
  • Learn new skills
  • Earn school volunteer hours
  • Build your resume
  • Have fun while making an impact in your community!
  • Help with transportation costs is available  

Join Markham Youth Voice discussions with other youth and public health facilitators and help plan and implement new initiatives. Sign up now and be a change-maker in your community!

If you have questions or want to get involved, email @email 

Related Resources
  • Markham Youth Voice Poster*
  • Markham Youth Voice Postcard*

*This document is intended for print only. Alternative formats are available upon request.

Injury Prevention at school, home and play

Most injuries are predictable and preventable. Learn more about how you can prevent common injuries including falls and concussions which are the most common causes of kids needing treatment at a hospital or emergency room.

Childhood Falls

Falling is a normal part of a child’s development as they grow, gain new skills and learn about the environment around them. While most falls do not result in serious injury, a fall is the most common cause of childhood injuries requiring medical attention.

At the Playground

A common place for injuries in children is in the playground. It is extremely important to be aware of your child's growth stages and abilities when you decide which equipment is appropriate for them to play on. Active supervision along with teaching them the rules of the playground is important for children, while still giving them the chance to explore and develop.

Concussions

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a sudden hit, bump or jolt to the head, face, neck or somewhere else on the body. The impact can prevent the brain from working normally. Concussions can happen from many different activities such falls, tripping, slipping, sports, assaults, motor vehicle collisions, or being struck by an object. While a concussion is an invisible injury that cannot be seen on X-rays, CT scans or MRIs, your child should be evaluated by a doctor or nurse practitioner if a concussion is suspected. Symptoms can be physical, emotional/behavioral, cognitive and/or sleep related.

Children and youth are at higher risk of developing mental health issues after a concussion. Early intervention and management of stress and emotions can help reduce the risk of persistent symptoms and poor mental health outcomes.

It is important to engage in activities of daily living (e.g. light walking, social interactions, helping with meal preparation) and relative rest for the first 24-48hrs after which they should gradually return to school-based activities depending on your child’s individual tolerances. “It is common and ok for a student’s symptoms to worsen mildly and briefly with activity as they move through the return to school steps” (Parachute, 2024). They do not need to be completely symptom free to return to school. If worsening symptoms persist longer than1-hour, they should stop, adapt the activity they are doing and seek medical advice.

Rowan’s Law

Get to know Rowan’s Law, Ontario’s provincial concussion legislation. It exists to help protect your child and get them back to school and to recreational sports safely.

Talking to kids about alcohol, cannabis and other drugs

It is never too early to start talking about drugs. Substance use is part of life – starting explanations and conversations early about substances such as vitamins, caffeine, medicines used for a cold/flu when kids are young are good place to start. Develop the habit of talking with your them regularly about a variety of health and wellness topics.

Take the time to also learn about the impact of early childhood experiences on development, and the implications adverse childhood experiences can have on diseases in adulthood, and other health and well-being outcomes including substance use.

Educate Yourself

If you know about substances, it is easier to talk to your kids. Scare tactics are not helpful. Learn what you can from the internet or library and talk about the importance of knowing what we put into our bodies. At the same time, acknowledge some people use substances for pleasure. Share your concerns about the risks involved in substance use. Listen and try to genuinely hear their views and experiences.

Alcohol

There are many reasons why youth may start to use alcohol, including pressure from friends, curiosity, stress and easier access to alcohol. Additionally, youth may see family members drink alcohol and imitate this behaviour. Whether you are a parent, guardian or teacher, starting a discussion with your kids about alcohol use may not be easy but having a conversation early is important so youth can get the real facts.

Possible risks associated with alcohol use for youth include:

  • Short-term risks: accidental injury, alcohol poisoning, motor vehicle crashes. While intoxicated, they may be more vulnerable to assaults, as well as mental health issues such as depression and self-harm, because alcohol impairs judgment, reasoning and the ability to evaluate risk
  • Long-term risks: substance use disorders, learning and memory issues, problems with school performance, increased risk of school dropout, and increased risk for certain chronic diseases, (e.g., liver disease, stroke and cancer)

Parents/guardian and/or caregivers play an important role in preventing or delaying alcohol use – start the conversation early and talk often.

There are several things you can do to help have an effective conversation with your child regarding alcohol use, including:

  • Take time to learn the facts about alcohol use. Canada’s new Guidance on Alcohol and Health contains a continuum of health risks that are associated with weekly alcohol use. The revised Drinking Less is Better is designed to help people make more informed choices about alcohol use – have a discussion about these new alcohol risk guidelines
  • Address adult alcohol consumption. If they share their observations of you/other adult family members drinking alcohol, be prepared to respond. This can include explaining that as an adult, you make choices which are not only legal but also informed. Explain your concerns about underage alcohol use
  • Be firm about never driving impaired or being in a car with an impaired driver. Make it known if they ever find themselves uncomfortable about alcohol consumption when they are out with friends and/or about getting home safely, they can call you anytime. Remind them this is particularly important when someone is drinking or using drugs and then offer to pick them up or make a plan together for an alternate ride home. Assure them you will be proud of them for the call, even if it’s in the middle of the night

Other strategies include:

  • Encourage their participation in doing things they love. Support their involvement in supervised educational programs, a sports league, or creative after-school activities
  • Check-in with your kids. Occasionally check-in to see how they are doing, emotionally and mentally. Help them feel safe by actively listening to what they are saying
  • Get to know their friends and parents. Invite them over for dinner or engage with them at your kids after school and recreational activities
  • Stay in touch with the trusted adults your child knows (camp counsellors, coaches, employers, teachers). This will make it easier to ask and have them share with you if they’ve noticed any changes in your kids’ behaviour
  • Spend time together as a family regularly and be involved in the lives of your children. Create a bond with your child. This builds up connection and trust between you and your child so when you have to set limits or enforce consequences, it’s less stressful
  • Remind your child you will always support them, no matter what
Cannabis  

Youth are more likely to experience harms from cannabis because their brain is still developing, until around the age of 25. Starting to use cannabis early and often increases risk of negative impacts to their brain development and physical health, such as:

  • Problems with memory, concentration, thinking, learning, handling emotions, and decision-making
  • Cannabis reduces concentration and attention, impairs coordination and slows reaction time
  • Development of mental health problems, including episodes of psychosis, schizophrenia depression, anxiety, especially if there’s a personal or family history of mental illness
  • Difficulties with relationships at home, school or work
  • As with alcohol, young/novice drivers (i.e., are 21 and/or under with a G1 or G2 license) are not allowed to have any cannabis in their system (as detected by a federally approved drug screening device)
Talking to youth about cannabis

As a parent, guardian and/or caregiver, you can help prevent or delay your child’s use of cannabis. Start the conversation early and talk often. Be in the know, know the facts.

  • Stay connected. Having a strong relationship with your student/child will increase the likelihood of helping them make informed and safer decisions.
  • Talk about it. Try to have open and ongoing talks about cannabis
  • Be positive. Don’t shame, scare, or lecture about cannabis. Instead, use active-listening skills in your conversations
  • Focus on safety. Let them know of safer choices and help them establish limits and understand consequences
  • Be informed. Be prepared with facts about cannabis
  • Be supportive. Help youth find healthier coping strategies or professional help, if needed
  • Be an example. Reflect on your own use of various substances and medications

For more information about how to talk to your teen about cannabis, please read Drug Free Kids Canada: Cannabis Talk Kit: Know How to Talk with Your Teen.

Prescription & Over the Counter Medications 

Talk to your kids about the safety of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Discuss the fact that a doctor/healthcare professional prescribes specific medication(s) to an individual, what may be recommended and needed for one person may not be safe for another. Over-the-counter medications are intended to treat specific symptoms; if a person does not have these symptoms and/or takes more medication than directed, the medication may be harmful.

Make your home safer by ensuring all prescription, over the counter medications and natural health products are safely stored. It is also important to monitor amounts of medications, even those kept out of sight. Store all medications in their original container/packaging.

If anyone in your home is prescribed an opioid, know the signs of an opioid overdose and how to respond; keep a naloxone kit accessible.

Unused and expired medications can easily be returned to any local pharmacy to ensure they are not misused and/or don’t contaminate the environment.

Party Safety

As your kids get older and more independent, you may not be able to prevent alcohol or drug use, such as at parties, however you can provide them with information to keep them safe. You can be clear with them about what you think and why, what rules may be negotiable and what are firm/non-negotiable. Make sure the consequences of broken rule(s) are ones you are willing to follow through with.

Revise rules as your kids mature. Ask them about their "party safety plan," such as having money and back-up plan for a safe ride home, having a friend watch their drink (to make sure no one adds anything), setting limits on drinking, and other strategies you come up with together.

Resources

  • Alcohol
  • Cannabis

External Resources

  • Drug Free Kids Canada – Parent Support Hub
  • Cannabis Talk Kit: Know How to Talk with Your Teen
  • Guidance on Alcohol and Health
  • Substance Use Conversations with Youth: Tips for Adult Allies — A Communication Guide | Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

French Resources

French resources

Les services scolaires du Bureau de santé publique de la région de York offrent du soutien en français aux écoles à travers le programme École en santé.

Des élèves en bonne santé apprennent mieux

Une école en santé promeut la santé physique, mentale, sociale et spirituelle de l'ensemble de la communauté scolaire. Une école en santé implique tous les membres de la communauté scolaire : élèves, familles, personnel de l’école et partenaires communautaires qui collaborent à la création d’un cadre de vie sain, propice à l'apprentissage des élèves.

En tant que parents, tuteurs et tutrices, vous jouez un rôle important dans la croissance et le développement de vos enfants, notamment en les aidant à trouver des stratégies d'adaptation positives pour faire face aux défis quotidiens de la vie, à faire des choix équilibrés en matière d'activité physique et d'alimentation, et à établir des relations saines et constructives avec leurs camarades et les adultes qui s'occupent d'eux. En rejoignant le programme École en santé , les parents/tuteurs/tutrices et les familles peuvent jouer un rôle actif pour favoriser des attitudes positives à l'égard de l'école et aider les élèves à établir des liens entre l'apprentissage à la maison et l'apprentissage à l'école. Votre rôle vital aidera les élèves à être plus heureux, à avoir une meilleure estime de soi et un plus grand plaisir social, et à obtenir de meilleurs résultats scolaires.

Pour plus d'informations sur ce que signifie une école saine, veuillez consulter cette vidéo:

Si vous souhaitez vous impliquer dans l'école de votre enfant, notamment en soutenant le programme École en santé, veuillez contacter le directeur de votre école pour plus d'informations.

Veuillez consulter les sections ci-dessous pour en savoir plus sur la manière de soutenir vos enfants et vos jeunes dans les domaines du développement de la résilience, de l'alimentation saine, de la santé mentale et du bien-être, et de l'activité physique.

Développement de la résilience chez les enfants et jeunes

La résilience est la capacité de surmonter les difficultés et de composer avec le changement, pour fonctionner à nouveau comme avant et poursuivre son cheminement (Le Centre de toxicomanie et de santé mentale (CAMH), 2009). Il s'agit d'une compétence importante que les enfants et les jeunes peuvent acquérir pour réussir à l'école et dans d'autres secteurs de la vie.

S'impliquer à l'école permettra aux élèves de bénéficier de plus de compétences en matière de développement qui leur permettront de s'épanouir et d'être plus résilients.

Les parents, les tuteurs et les tutrices peuvent envisager de faire participer leurs enfants à des activités extrascolaires qui leur permettent de développer leurs compétences et d’avoir confiance en eux. Les élèves peuvent également s'impliquer dans leur communauté scolaire en rejoignant le comité École en santé et en partageant leurs idées et leurs opinions sur des questions de santé importantes. Ils seront habilités à identifier les priorités de santé qui sont importantes pour eux et pour leurs camarades et à prendre des mesures pour promouvoir la santé afin de contribuer à créer un environnement scolaire sain. Les élèves auront la possibilité d'assumer des rôles de leadership et d'être reconnus en tant qu'élèves leaders de leur école.

La participation active des enfants et des jeunes à l'école leur permet de se sentir mieux intégrés et moins isolés, ce qui renforce leur résilience et leur permet de réussir à l'école et dans la vie.

Ressources externes
  • Favoriser la résilience chez les enfants et les jeunes
  • Fondements d’une école saine
  • Les Normes canadiennes des écoles en santé

Alimentation et nutrition

Les familles jouent un rôle essentiel dans l'influence des habitudes alimentaires d'un enfant et de sa relation avec la nourriture.  En tant que famille, vous pouvez donner l'exemple d'une alimentation saine à la maison, faire participer votre enfant à la préparation des repas et relâcher la pression à l'heure des repas. Les enfants mangent mieux si on leur fait confiance pour savoir quelle quantité manger et s'ils sont capables de décider quels aliments manger (parmi ceux que vous leur proposez).
Une alimentation saine ne se résume pas à des ingrédients et à des nutriments. Il s'agit de développer la confiance en soi pour planifier les repas, faire les courses, préparer les déjeuners, cuisiner et créer un environnement d'apprentissage et de plaisir autour de la nourriture.

Votre implication et votre soutien à la maison peuvent aider votre enfant à aimer de nouveaux aliments. Par ailleurs, les parents, les tuteurs et les tutrices jouent un rôle essentiel dans la promotion d'un environnement alimentaire positif à l'école. Envisagez de rejoindre le conseil des parents de l'école pour soutenir et promouvoir les activités de nutrition dans l'école. Il peut s'agir de mettre en place un programme de nutrition pour les élèves, de se porter volontaire pour animer des programmes tels que « You’re the Chef », et bien plus encore!

Poursuivez votre lecture pour obtenir des conseils qui favoriseront la nutrition de votre enfant et une relation saine avec les aliments.

Ressources connexes
  • Dîner d'école dont vos enfants raffolent
Vidéos
  • Dîner santé à l’école (Gouvernement du Canada)
Ressources externes
  • DecouvrezLesAliments
  • Santé811 - Santé811 (ontario.ca)

Santé mentale et bien-être

La santé mentale, ou le fait d'être en bonne santé mentale, est la capacité de ressentir, de penser et d'agir de manière à améliorer notre aptitude à profiter de la vie et à faire face aux défis et à l'adversité. La recherche démontre qu'une relation parents/tuteurs/tutrices - enfants étroite et bienveillante au sein d’un environnement familial épanouissant peut avoir un impact considérable sur le développement et le bien-être général de l'enfant. Les parents/tuteurs/tutrices jouent un rôle essentiel en aidant les enfants à développer des bases solides en santé mentale et à acquérir des stratégies d'adaptation avant que les problèmes ne se présentent.  Lorsque des problèmes de santé mentale surviennent, les parents jouent également un rôle clé en aidant leur enfant à bénéficier d'un soutien approprié en santé mentale.

Vidéos
  • Promouvoir la santé mentale : adopter un langage commun : Le Centre de toxicomanie et de santé mentale (CAMH) 2015
  • La santé mentale : l'importance d'un environnement chaleureux : Société canadienne de pédiatrie
Ressources externes
  • Discuter de la santé mentale avec votre enfant
  • Soutien en santé mentale pour les parents
  • Jeunesse, J'écoute
  • L’Association canadienne pour la santé mentale
  • Santé mentale pour enfants Ontario
  • Le service communautaire de gestion des crises

Activité physique

L’activité physique consiste à faire de l’activité physique tout au long de la journée, faire de l’activité physique en plein air et gérer le temps d’écran.

Le fait de participer à une variété d'activités physiques au cours d'une journée contribue à une vie saine de 24 heures. En bougeant tout au long de la journée, que ce soit à l'école, à la maison ou dans la communauté, il est possible, pour les enfants et les jeunes d'obtenir 60 minutes par jour d'activité physique d’intensité moyenne à élevée et plusieurs heures d'activité physique d’intensité légère et variée. Privilégiez les gains rapides et les activités non compétitives pour rester en mouvement et équilibrez la journée avec des activités informelles et non structurées telles que jardiner, ratisser les feuilles, ou jouer à la tague au parc. Recherchez des opportunités de "temps actif" tout au long de la journée. Soyez un exemple positif en étant physiquement actif en famille et soutenez-vous mutuellement en vous félicitant les uns les autres. 

Intégrez de l’activité en plein air car elle améliore l'humeur, la concentration et la réponse au stress de toute la famille.

Encourager les enfants et les jeunes à gérer le temps passé devant un écran avec d'autres activités physiques, comme jouer dans un parc, faire du vélo, se promener avec des amis ou des membres de la famille. Cela peut aider à développer un comportement sain sur le temps passé devant les écrans. Consultez les ressources visant à encourager les enfants et les jeunes à être plus actifs.

Ressources connexes
  • Infographie pour parents- Gérer le temps d’écran
  • Fiche d’information pour parents – De l’activité physique toute la journée
  • Fiche d’information – Comment s’habiller pour aller jouer dehors en automne
  • Fiche d’information – Comment s’habiller pour aller jouer dehors en été
  • Fiche d’information – Comment s’habiller pour aller jouer dehors en hiver
  • Fiche d’information – Comment s’habiller pour aller jouer dehors au printemps
Ressources externes
  • Actif pour la vie - Jeux pour enfants
  • A vous de jouer ensemble
  • Outside Play - Prends un risque, va jouer dehors!
  • Directives canadiennes en matière de mouvement 24 heures
  • ParticipACTION

Looking for Advice? Contact Us.

For information and referrals about physical activity, healthy schools, injury prevention, substance use and healthy aging, as well as application services for York Region programs and services contact @email, call 1-877-464-9675 or dial 711 with a TTY device, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Health Connection

York Region professionals offer confidential information and advice on public health-related topics, resources, services and other community programs, including pregnancy, parenting, family health, infectious disease, sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, health protection and dental health. 

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
1-800-361-5653 or dial 711 with a TTY device
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
York.ca/NurseChat
 

Related Resources

  • Calling All Parent Volunteers! – ideas to get involved in your school

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