| June 18, 2009 | Media contact: Corrie Feldkamp E-mail: cfeldkam@med.umich.edu Phone: 734-764-2220 |
Book readings at local libraries to teach youth about activity and movement
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Why should you be fit? Physical activity is an essential component of leading a healthy lifestyle and when children are taught this lesson at a young age it sets the foundation. Wasentha Young, M.A., health educator for the University of Michigan’s Health Services Program for Multicultural Health, will help give kids and parents a head start during an upcoming series in which she will read from her colorfully illustrated books discussing the importance of physical activity for children.
The first book reading is scheduled for June 23 at the Ann Arbor Public Library, followed by future readings throughout the summer in Ypsilanti, Chelsea and Canton. Young will read excerpts from each web-published book. Physical activity is multidimensional and also multicultural. Within the content of these web-publications, children are introduced to other children from around the world and can identify the uniqueness and similarities in their activities.
“The books will teach children in kindergarten through third grade about the importance of maintaining a healthy physical activity lifestyle,” says Young.
The books are meant to be used not only by parents but also as a tool and resource for physical education teachers. The books can be downloaded for free and teachers can access them to supplement their teachings. They are meant to help increase the awareness of children ages 5-8 of the importance of having a healthy physical activity lifestyle.
These web-publications identify the application, benefits and safety concerns of four types of physical activity: leisure, aerobic, strengthening and stretching/flexibility. In addition, one publication offers an overview of the relationship between calorie intake and being physically active.
“Children will be learning about muscle groups and burning calories through movement, in addition to getting introduced to children from other countries about physical activity there,” says Young.
The books are:
Move Your Body - Leisure (powerpoint)
Move Your Large Muscle Groups - Aerobics (powerpoint)
Make Your Muscles Strong - Strength and Condition (powerpoint)
Stretch Your Body - Flexibility (powerpoint)
Move Your Body To Burn Calories - Burning calories (powerpoint)
Young’s readings are as followed:
Pittsfield Public Library – 1 p.m. on June 23
2359 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor(734)327-4200
Contact: Laura Raynor
Phone: (734)327-4226
Canton Public Library – 1 p.m. on Aug 13
1200 S. Canton Center Rd. Canton
Contact: Kristen Kostielney
Phone: (734)397-0999
Ypsilanti Library – 2 p.m. on October 3
5577 Whittaker Rd. Ypsilanti
Contact: Ilene Singer
Phone: (734)482-4110
For more information please visit: http://www.med.umich.edu/multicultural/divisions/pa/movebody.htm
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