That's Fit

If you must allow your kids to watch TV, better to tune them into sports events than questionable programming. Even better? Turn off the boob tube and get them in the game.

Eighty percent of kids ages six to 18 surveyed by Weekly Reader said they'd rather play sports than watch them on television. This means you simply must offer your children the chance to join a team or league.

Here's what else these sports fans had to say:

• 50 percent said their parents urge them to play a team sport.

• 43 percent of six to nine-year-olds said they play their sport because they love it. Just 32 percent of 13 to 18-year olds said the same.

• 10 percent of 13 to 18-year old girls quit playing sports because a coach told them they weren't good enough.

• Girls attend practice in greater numbers than boys.

I love the mini lessons my kids get at school about health, nutrition, and fitness. What they learn is not abundant by any means but when words of wisdom come their way, I'm truly thankful for them.

Yesterday, my first grader came home with his February Weekly Reader. It happens to be Dental Health Week at many schools across the country and so this issue was all about Terrific Teeth. Here's what my grade schooler learned.

Brush
Brush your teeth at least two times a day. Brush the outside and the inside of your teeth. Gently brush your tongue too.

Floss
Floss your teeth once a day. Ask a grown-up to help you.

Get Checkups
Visit a dentist two times each year.

Eat Healthful Foods
Eat foods that are good for your teeth. Drink a lot of milk too.

My preschooler learned a thing or two as well. He even had a dentist visit his classroom and was gifted with a new toothbrush, floss, and a timer so he can monitor how long he brushes. Two minutes is the goal and already, my littlest guy is watching his pink sand drizzle to the bottom of its hourglass while he brushes and brushes and brushes.

If you find you can borrow from this elementary dental lesson, please do. If your kids would benefit from it, please pass it on.

Exercise is fun! Exercise is an activity that makes your body strong. How can you exercise? You can play soccer. You can ride a bike. You can rake leaves. You can play football.

Sound a little elementary? It should -- because it comes straight from my first-grade kid's Weekly Reader. Written for your average grade school student, the Weekly Reader is a four-page magazine of sorts that pays special attention to a special topic. This week's topic: Fitness. In addition to the lesson I featured above, this little publication also includes a run-down on bones.

Your body has many bones. Exercise keeps those bones strong. Some bones hold up your body. Other bones protect the inside of your body. All your bones together make up your skeleton.