According to a 2007 New England Journal of Medicine study, the number of overweight children ages 6 to 19 has tripled since 1970. In the last few years, according to the CDC, National Center for Health, statistics revealed even for those children as young as 2-5 years old. The obesity levels have doubled from 7% to 14%, and still growing! The problem has become so severe across the US that President Obama recently signed a memorandum establishing a federal task force to combat childhood obesity. In support of the task force, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced the “Let’s Move” campaign, urging parents to make subtle changes in their children’s eating and exercise patterns to promote healthy living.
So, how about a preschool that specializes in nutrition and exercise? Or, one that believes nutrition and exercise are just as important as reading, writing and math? There is such a place: A School for the Mind and Body (SFMB) in Clarkston, Michigan.
According to Nanci Canine, the Founder and President of SFMB, teaching children their ABC’s and 123’s isn’t enough. SFMB places a special emphasis on nutrition to develop well-rounded, healthy preschool students. At SFMB, youngsters learn to make sound eating choices by understanding what is in their foods.
Teaching children how to feed their bodies is critical to promoting healthy living, but SFMB also stresses the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy body. Each day, students participate in an exercise unit that relates to the school’s concept of the week, and twice a month the students work with an exercise and fitness expert, Jacklyn Rzepecki. Additionally, the school has implemented SFMB Fit Families, a program to encourage healthy lifestyles at home as well as in school. Both students and parents have embraced the program.
Nanci has developed a new approach to preschool education that addressed the missing elements of character education and health & wellness. She established a number of qualities important to the character of a child that are taught through four Teaching Units: Thinking, Learning, Nutrition and Exercise. Each week a different concept, either of a moral value or of a life skill, is addressed and all of the teaching units are covered during the child’s class session. Each age level learns the same concept with age appropriate materials.
Nanci started SFMB in the fall of 2005 with 30 families enrolled. In the fall of 2009 she had close to 200 families and still growing. Parents want her approach to preschool education;
“We’re truly impressed with the academic segment as well as the importance placed on developing well-rounded, healthy preschoolers at A School for the Mind and Body” states Kristi Hehl, a Lake Orion resident who sends her 4-year-old and 3-year-old sons to the Clarkston preschool.
“It’s important to our family to make healthy choices when it comes to eating and
exercising,” Hehl continues. “A School for the Mind and Body has really created a
program that grows the total child into a conscientious and physically strong young adult. We couldn’t find a better fit for our family”
A School for the Mind and Body and its Founder/President, Nanci Canine, believes in “Saving our World of Tomorrow through our Children Today”. For that reason, in 2010 they started a Franchise Program. If you have an interest in the school or the Franchise Program you may visit www.schoolforthemindandbody.com or contact Nanci Canine at (248) 396-4703.
Everyday Fitness
According to a 2007 New England Journal of Medicine study, the number of overweight children ages 6 to 19 has tripled since 1970. In the last few years, according to the CDC, National Center for Health, statistics revealed even for those children as young as 2-5 years old. The obesity levels have doubled from 7% to 14%, and still growing! The problem has become so severe across the US that President Obama recently signed a memorandum establishing a federal task force to combat childhood obesity. In support of the task force, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced the “Let’s Move” campaign, urging parents to make subtle changes in their children’s eating and exercise patterns to promote healthy living.
So, how about a preschool that specializes in nutrition and exercise? Or, one that believes nutrition and exercise are just as important as reading, writing and math? There is such a place: A School for the Mind and Body (SFMB) in Clarkston, Michigan.
According to Nanci Canine, the Founder and President of SFMB, teaching children their ABC’s and 123’s isn’t enough. SFMB places a special emphasis on nutrition to develop well-rounded, healthy preschool students. At SFMB, youngsters learn to make sound eating choices by understanding what is in their foods.
Teaching children how to feed their bodies is critical to promoting healthy living, but SFMB also stresses the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy body. Each day, students participate in an exercise unit that relates to the school’s concept of the week, and twice a month the students work with an exercise and fitness expert, Jacklyn Rzepecki. Additionally, the school has implemented SFMB Fit Families, a program to encourage healthy lifestyles at home as well as in school. Both students and parents have embraced the program.
Nanci has developed a new approach to preschool education that addressed the missing elements of character education and health & wellness. She established a number of qualities important to the character of a child that are taught through four Teaching Units: Thinking, Learning, Nutrition and Exercise. Each week a different concept, either of a moral value or of a life skill, is addressed and all of the teaching units are covered during the child’s class session. Each age level learns the same concept with age appropriate materials.
Nanci started SFMB in the fall of 2005 with 30 families enrolled. In the fall of 2009 she had close to 200 families and still growing. Parents want her approach to preschool education;
“We’re truly impressed with the academic segment as well as the importance placed on developing well-rounded, healthy preschoolers at A School for the Mind and Body” states Kristi Hehl, a Lake Orion resident who sends her 4-year-old and 3-year-old sons to the Clarkston preschool.
“It’s important to our family to make healthy choices when it comes to eating and
exercising,” Hehl continues. “A School for the Mind and Body has really created a
program that grows the total child into a conscientious and physically strong young adult. We couldn’t find a better fit for our family”
A School for the Mind and Body and its Founder/President, Nanci Canine, believes in “Saving our World of Tomorrow through our Children Today”. For that reason, in 2010 they started a Franchise Program. If you have an interest in the school or the Franchise Program you may visit www.schoolforthemindandbody.com or contact Nanci Canine at (248) 396-4703.