Healthy Kids Resource Center Publications

News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...
A Balanced Diet A balanced diet gives your body all of the essential nutrients it needs to stay active, healthy, and strong. Learn how you can balance your diet to get the energy you need throughout the day. Buffington, A., Lindsay, A. 2019, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Active Bingo A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Alphabet Stretch A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020
Animal Moves A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020
Balancing Act A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3048
Balloon Fun A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3047
Beagle Brunch A healthy recipe for preschool aged children to bring for lunch. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Behavioral Milestones 2-5 Year Olds From 2 to 5 years old, children grow and develop in ways that affect behavior in all areas, including eating. The timing of these milestones may vary with each child. USDA 2020, United States Department of Agriculture
Cardio Endurance | Heart Smart Cardio- Respiratory, or “Cardio” Endurance is an important element to children’s physical fitness. Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Cheetah Chicken A healthy recipe for preschool aged children to bring for lunch. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Children's Books About Energy Balance & Physical Activity All books listed have been peer-reviewed by academic institutions. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Choosing Healthy Snacks for your Preschooler: Go, Slow, Whoa Snacks A guide to help your preschooler choose a healthy snack following the Go, Slow, Whoa guidelines. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Count my Moves A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3046
Crossing my Feet A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3045
Dancing Partner A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3044
Eating Healthy at Restaurants - Choosing Healthy Items No Matter Where You Are Making healthier choices at restaurants can make all the difference to maintain a healthy energy balance . Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Energy Balance & Childhood Obesity The Healthy Kids Resource Center provides evidence-based research, resources, curricula, activities and materials that focus on obesity prevention and promoting energy balance in your child's life. Teach children the importance of both eating a balanced diet with foods they like and being physically active. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Engagement Strategies That Promote Physical Activity Using positive engagement strategies in fun, playful social settings are key to promoting physical activity. Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Flamingo Fritters A healthy recipe for preschool aged children to bring for lunch. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Flexibility | Reach for the Stars! Flexibility is an important part of a child’s fitness and includes movements like bending, twisting and stretching. Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Follow the Leader A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3043
Food Safety Tips For Preschoolers 10 Tips to Keep Food Safe and Clean CDC 2020, Center for Disease Control and Protection, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Fundamental Movement Skills | Active Kids Are Active Adolescents For many children sports and physical activity aren’t natural, aren’t easy and it may not be fun! Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Get Moving! It can be a challenge to schedule an exercise plan into your busy life. Try stepping up your current routine without adding more commitments to your schedule and get moving! Lindsay, A. 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Get Ready, Get Set, Let's Go! A variety of tips on how to get more active in your life, whether you want to start slow or jump right into exercises. Lindsay, A. 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Get Regular Starting a fitness program is only half the battle. Maintaining a physically active lifestyle is the ultimate challenge. As you progress through the steps to building an active lifestyle, you reach the final step, Get Regular! Lindsay, A. 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Get Up, Get Out! Get Up, Get Out isn’t about exercise or hard workouts at the gym, it is leisure and fun that will help lay the foundation for becoming more active. Lindsay, A. 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Go, Slow, and Whoa Foods We can help our children recognize which foods are better choices with GO, SLOW and WHOA. Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, IP
Guess the Food This fun activity allows preschoolers to guess the fruit of vegetable based on their sense of touch. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Healthy Eating for Pre-Schooler Following MyPlate allows your family to eat foods you love but reminds you to balance your proteins, grains, dairy, fruits, and vegetables at each meal. Lindsay, A. 2020, USDA Choose MyPlate
Healthy Kids Resource Center - Policies, Procedures & Partners Find links to Federal and State policies and regulations Lindsay, A. and Taylor, S. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Healthy Tips for Families: Lifelong Healthy Habits Start at Home. Today’s children have different options for food and play than children had in the past. Sadly, many food choices contain more calories and fewer nutrients than a child needs to grow healthy. Try these 10 tips to help your family! Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Healthy Tips For Picky Eaters Exploring Food: How to Explore New Food with Preschoolers Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Heart Smart A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3041
Hunger & Fullness - Building Tummy Awareness It's wise for parents and teachers to talk to children about what it means to be hungry and what it means to be full. Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Indoor Obstacle Course A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3039
Kids Win When Family Meals Are A Priority Make Mealtime Quality Time Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Kitchen Activities As preschoolers grow, they are able to help out with different tasks in the kitchen. While the following suggestions are typical, children may develop these skills at different ages. USDA 2020, United States Department of Agriculture
Learning to Like New Foods - Cucumbers are cool Does it seem like your preschooler only wants to eat the same foods every day? Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Move Your Way Get more active, find activities that will help you reach the minimum requirements to get the benefits of a healthy life. Lindsay, A. 2011, Department of Health and Human Services
Muscle and Bone Strength | Muscles in Motion Did you know that people who are more physically active generally use more energy even at rest than those who are not as physically active? Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Music & Dance | Healthy Kids Physical Toolkit Music and dance is fun, it doesn’t exclude children who are less skilled, it can be done at school or home, with friends or family and it promotes brain development and social interaction. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Musical Shapes A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-2020-3038
Mystery Tasting Let your child identify fruits and vegetables (and their food group) based solely on their taste. This interactive game is fun and lets them try new food! Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Nutrition Books to Read to Your Children A variety of books that teach about nutrition, how to make healthy choices, and trying new foods. Lindsay A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Obstacle Course A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Perceptual Motor Development | Connecting the Brain & the Body Perceptual motor development connects a child’s perceptual or sensory skills (his brain) to his motor skills (his body) so they can perform a variety of movements and confidently interact with their environment. Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Peter Parrot Pasta A healthy recipe for preschool aged children to bring for lunch. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Physical Activities To Do With Your Children Children have different needs at each age and stage of their development. Each child is also unique. If it's been a while since you've had children in the house, check out this list for activities that can help children learn, have fun, experience success, and feel good about themselves. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Physical Activity Promotes Brain Development Children who are more physically active perform better academically and have better memory and attention. Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Physical Activity, How Much Is Enough? | Active Kids Are Healthy Kids Just for Preschoolers and Their Families Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Portion Sizes / Tamaño de Porciones Children need smaller quantities of food than adults do for their small bodies. USDA’s MyPlate “rule of thumb” says the serving size for a child should be ½ of an adult’s serving. Many Nutrition Facts labels do not express this. It is up to the adults in their lives to ensure the proper portion sizes. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Pug's Power Pack A healthy recipe for preschool aged children to bring for lunch. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Rainbow Scarves A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Recipes - Healthy Kids Resource Center Packing a healthy lunchbox and other healthy ideas. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Screen Time | Make Time to Unplug Increased time in front of a screen means less time being physically active, contributing to higher weight and BMI, increased caloric intake & unhealthy food choices. Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Sedentary Behavior | Don't Just Sit, and Sit, and Sit! Being sedentary can result in more sitting and less time spent being physically active which can lead to obesity and greater risk for having diabetes and other chronic health problems as an adult. Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Shopping with Kids Your Game Plan to Grocery Shopping With Kids Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Simon Says A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Snack & Meal Time Routines A regular routine of meals and snacks helps discourage eating all day, and preschoolers like it because they know what to expect. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Stretchy Limbo A fun game to help encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Talking Positively At Mealtimes - Your Words Matter As your child's caregiver, you play the biggest role in their eating behavior. Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Teacher and family connections curriculum: A supplement to the All 4 Kids: Healthy, Happy, Active, Fit obesity prevention program. Sigman-Grant, M, Van Brackel, A., Byington, T. and Lindsay, A. 2013, UNCE Publication CM-13-01
Teaching Children To Make Healthy Choices - Empowering Children Through Language If young children are taught early and practice healthy choices, they will make better food choices as they grow up. Buffington,A. and Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
The Elements of Fitness | Fit Kids Are Healthy Kids Children should engage in indoor and outdoor active play in their pre-school and at home. Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Treasure Hunt A fun game to encourage physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Using a Pedometer Physical activity is one of the most important things we can do to improve our health. However, finding time to incorporate an exercise regime into a daily schedule can often be a challenge. To gain some health benefits, simply increase your number of daily steps and make them more intentional and brisk! Lindsay, A. 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Veggie Quetzaldilla A healthy recipe for preschool aged children to bring for lunch. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
What Is Physical Literacy? | Early Start, Active for Life A young child who is physically literate is one who has the motivation confidence, knowledge, skills, and fitness necessary to enjoy a physically active lifestyle Lindsay, A. & Byington, T. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Whoa and Go: Yarn Race A fun game that encourages physical activity among children. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Wildebeets Bowl A healthy recipe for preschool aged children to bring for lunch. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Zebra Zucchini Bowl A healthy recipe for preschool aged children to bring for lunch. Lindsay,A. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno