Healthy Habits for Life

Educating and engaging children to encourage the development of positive physical, mental and social health habits that will carry them through life.

Let’s Start at the Beginning

School-aged children are already establishing patterns of behavior that may last a lifetime; therefore, it is important to teach them about healthy lifestyle practices early. Healthy, active youth likely turn into healthy, active adults and physical activity contributes to better attention spans and improved cognitive learning skills in children. Unfortunately, many children are not learning healthy habits at home and budget cuts are resulting in a reduction in gym classes at most public schools. Despite the evidence to support the relationship between child and adult health, cultural and societal changes seem to be impeding healthy decision making for our children.

Coaching Wellness

UPMC Horizon has developed and tested an eight-week course designed specifically for students. Local high school students engage with elementary students developing leadership skills in the teens and improving wellness and health in all ages. Of course, it emphasizes exercise and healthy eating habits. However, the program also addresses a recent and very real concern, mental and social health. This special curriculum assists students in managing social interaction in an environment where simple mistakes can have complicated long term impact.