Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • January 20, 2010 (ARA) Kids need more than notebooks and pencils to thrive at school. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine plays an important role in ensuring a successful school year, too. Between running back and forth to soccer practice, dance class, or after-work errands, sitting down for family dinners is quickly becoming a rarity. This fast-paced lifestyle makes it all too easy for kids to fall into unhealthy routines. After school, many kids grab junk food for a snack, and spend hours glued to the TV or video games. Therefore, it’s important to help your kids make the right choices by giving them tools and options that are fun and entertaining, yet still healthy. We all know the importance of having three well-balanced meals a day; however, it is equally important to extend the same healthy practices to snacking. Snacks should be viewed as a fourth meal, as they account for a substantial percentage of your child’s daily energy and nutrient needs. Developing healthy snacking habits early may have more of Schools Now Registering An introduction to after-school health an impact on your child’s overall health than you realize. Here are some simple solutions to improve your child’s well-being by planning an active and healthy after-school routine. Get them involved. Kids who are involved in planning meals are more likely to eat them. Even if your kids don’t accompany you to the grocery store, getting them involved in the creation of the shopping list is a great way to help your child develop healthy meal planning skills for life. Make it easy for kids to grab exactly what they should be eating. Engage your kids with a fun game or song for putting away the groceries. This interaction will make the process more appealing. As they help put items away, they will know exactly where they are when it comes time for a snack. Place the items you have designated as acceptable after-school snacks toward the front of the shelves, where shorter arms can easily reach. Stock up on smart snacks. Compared to adults, children have tiny tummies; they generally cannot eat as much in one sitting. It is essential for growing kids to refuel between meals with healthy and nutritious snacks. Stock-up on portioned, kid-friendly and easy-to-eat items in the fridge and freezer: Make eating vegetables more fun by using colorful New School of Dance Arts NEW CLASSES STARTING THIS MONTH! For Children: Pre-School Dance Jr. Gymnastics Creative Movement Introduction to Ballet For Teens / Adults: Contemporary Dance Yoga 16 & 18 Godwin Plaza Godwin Ave, Midland Park www.newschoolofdancearts.com plastic containers with multiple compartments to store cut vegetables such as baby carrots, celery, and cucumbers with dips such as light dressings and peanut butter. Kids can have fun mixing and matching their favorites. Don’t waste money on individual snack bags. Buy full size bags and boxes of healthy snacks like pretzels and low-sugar cereals and portion into zip-close snack baggies for easy snacking. Keep active with after-school activities. Regular physical activity helps to support healthy sleep patterns, improve bone and muscle development, and encourage healthy social skills. Experts suggest that children should have 60 or more minutes of aerobic activity each day. This may sound like a lot, but don’t worry. There are plenty of opportunities for kids to meet the daily amount of recommended physical activity, especially after school. Keep after school boredom at bay with these ideas: Keep an after-school activity basket in the garage or by the door. Include play items such as jump ropes, hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles that encourage movement. Have the kids decorate the basket with markers and puffy paint for another fun activity. If the kids are going to play video games, make it an interactive one that requires them to get up off the couch. Check out gaming consoles that can be fun for the whole family. Register Now for the Next 10-Week Session and Preschool Fall 2010 Monday, Jan. 25 & Monday Feb. 1 & Learning Friends Neighborhood Nursery the Center A nurturing program to develop OPEN HOUSE Friends Neighborhood Nursery School confidence and potential of each child OPEN HOUSE January 20th, 21st and 22nd, 2010 • 9:30 to 11:00am (no appointment necessary) 201-444-3929 201-670-4464 to Register! • Programs for 2, 3 & 4 year olds • Enrollments accepted on an on-going basis • Member of the Friends Council on Education • 50 years strong 224 Highwood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ • 201-445-0681 www.ridgewoodfriends.org 85 Godwin Ave, Midland Park, NJ www.kidsclubhouseinc.com NOW ENROLLING! ��������������������� In The Villadom2 x 3” you’ll get the exposure you need in 56,300 homes TIMES, right in your market area. And, as always, your Villadom TIMES advertising message is conveniently delivered each week by US mail to every residence in the 12 Bergen County towns listed below. Publication: Wednesday January 27 Deadline: Wednesday January 20 �������������������������������������� 1-20-10 kathy/janine ����������������������������� FriendsNurserySchool2x3(1-20-10) • Exciting early reading program, • 3, 4, or 5 Day Toddler program (Little Learners Curriculum) • Preschool Program (L.E.A.P. Program) Ask about • Full Day Kindergarten Summer • Kindergarten Enrichment with Transportation Camp!! • Outstanding Infant Center • State of the art Theater and Dance Room • Make Believe Blvd.® (A miniature Main Street, USA) Please join us: OPEN HOUSE Friday, January 22nd and January 29th 9:30-11:30 or Schedule a Tour ! YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER Call The Villadom TIMES today to place your advertisement. Independently owned and operated. State Licensed. www.thelearningexperience.com 132 Hopper Ave. Waldwick, NJ 201-445-6901 201-652-0744 ZONE 1 - Wyckoff, Midland Park, Franklin Lakes ZONE 2 - Ridgewood, Glen Rock ZONE 3 - Ho-Ho-Kus, Allendale, Waldwick, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, ZONE 4 - Ramsey, Mahwah