Best Start Manitouwadge
June 2017
Another year of growing and learning together has come to an end. The last day of
programming for this school year will be Tuesday, June 27.
We will be celebrating with our annual End of the Year Potluck. Please join us on Tuesday,
June 27 at 4:30 for a Family Fun Night and Potluck!
Community Family Play Day
Best Start and the Township of Manitouwadge would like to invite you to our Community Family Play Day.
Please join us at the Lion’s Beach on Thursday, June 15 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. for a fun filled
morning playing outdoors with your children! We will be joined by Grades JK-2 from EPFM, OLOL
and MPS.
The Community Water Bar will be available so please remember to bring your reusable water bottles!
COME PLAY WITH US!
Community Clean Up
Best Start will be taking part in the Community Spring Clean Up Day. Please join us on June 5 during
Drop In to clean the school playground.
A light lunch will be provided for participants following the clean up.
Help us keep our community clean!
LONGEST DAY OF PLAY
Get outside and be active with your family to enjoy the day with the most daylight hours of the year
on June 21.
“You don’t need to be athletic, have any training or experience or even be part of a local team. Anyone can
participate without even venturing far from their backdoor. All you need is a playful spirit and the goal to have
some fun. It’s time for Canada to sit less and move more”
www.participation.com
Baby Beginnings
Breastfeeding 101
Breastfed babies spit up less.
www.infactcanada.ca
Thank you to all parents and
caregivers who have attended our
program this year. We have enjoyed
watching your children grow and learn.
This year was filled with growth,
learning, sharing, support,
encouragement, laughter and fun!
A special thank you to all who have
visited our program to provide
presentations. You have enriched our
program.
We look forward to seeing you all next
year.
10,000 Step A Day Challenge
Best Start is happy to be participating
in the Marathon Family Health Team’s
10,000 Step A Day Challenge. The
goal of the challenge is for each team
to virtually “Step across Canada” for a
total of 7200 kilometers (9.5 million
steps) from May 1 to June 2.
The 10,000 steps per day guideline is
recommended for adults as it is
considered enough activity to help
reduce their risk of chronic disease and
help them live a longer, healthier life.
For more information on the 10,000
Step A Day Challenge, please visit:
http://www.10000steps.org.au/
A Love of Literacy
Provided by Andrea Richard, Early Literacy Facilitator,
Brass Bell Family Resource Centre/ Best Start
Choose to Boost Fruits and Vegetables
The goal of the Superior North Greenstone Healthy Kids Community Challenge is to support the wellbeing of our children. Manitouwadge is fortunate to a part of this special project. This will mean new
ideas and programs for our community which will make it easier for kids to be active and eat healthier.
These are the keys to good health as our children grow up and become adults.
Theme 3 is “Choose to Boost Veggies and Fruit”.
This theme encourages kids and families to make vegetables and fruit a part of every meal and snack.
Why should we choose to boost fruits and vegetables?

Vegetables and fruit contain many nutrients that protect our health and fuel our bodies. Nutrients
provided by vegetables and fruit include carbohydrates, vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium
and some B vitamins such as folate.

Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruit may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and heart
disease. This type of diet is also linked to healthy weights.
From: Healthy Kids Community Challenge Fact Sheet
Children who play on irregular
surfaces tend to have better
balance and coordination.
Triple P Parenting Program
Summer holidays are a great opportunity for families to spend time together, especially when you all
head off in the car to your favorite vacation spot. A touch optimistic, you say?
Of course a family car trip is supposed to be fun, but it can be spoiled when children start to whine,
complain, fight or tease each other in the back seat.
No matter how hard your preschooler might try to be good while traveling in the car, if their
regular routine is disrupted it can be hard for them. Try to plan your trips to avoid your young child’s
usual sleep or meal times as a hungry or tired child is likely to become irritable.
For more information on Triple P Parenting, please visit: www.triplepontario.ca
National Health and Fitness Day Activity Ideas for Families
National Health and Fitness Day is an initiative to make Canada the Fittest Nation on Earth!
Saturday June 3rd, 2017 provides an opportunity for all citizens to Get Up, Get Out and Get
Active! The objective is to inspire Canadians to become fitter and more active which will
result in reduced health care costs attributed to preventable diseases related to inactivity.
On Saturday June 3rd get your kids, get your parents and get outside and get active!
A family that plays together stays together! Here are some activity ideas for you and your
family:
Family Fitness Ideas!

Let your kids plan the activities for the day! If you’ve never played Grounders or
Manhunt, you’re missing out! There are dozens of games available at BringBackPlay.ca

Head to the park or playground and set up a fun obstacle course.

Make a splash at your community pool or local recreation centre.

Get together with neighbours for a game of all-ages ball hockey, races (egg-on-spoon;
three-legged; and sack races); a scavenger hunt; a pool party; or a game of soccer.

Go for a walk – walk around the neighbourhood and discover a new park or ravine.

Tour the community… on bikes.

Take your dog for a long walk. Or, if you don’t have a dog – take your neighbour’s dog
for a walk!

Introduce the kids to something new. Bocce ball? Cricket?

Spread the word! Help us engage all Canadians in National Health and Fitness Day.
Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter. #NHFDcan #FittestNation
At the end of the day,,
Your feet should be dirty,
Your hair messy,
And your eyes sparkling!
-
- Shanti