Make the most of the Summer Break with your Family

Make the most of the Summer Break with your Family

As the festive season approaches and schools wrap up for the year, parents nationwide are preparing to spend more time with their kids.

Life Education, the largest non-government provider of health education in schools across the country, says the summer holiday break is a great time for parents to encourage and empower their children to develop healthy lifestyle choices.

Life Education's top tips for a healthy summer break include:
With more time on your hands, leave the car at home and walk, jog, bike ride or rollerblade to a friend's house or the local store with your kids – this is a great way to encourage exercise and burn the unwanted calories that often accompany the extra treats at Christmas. The National Physical Activity Guidelines recommend children aged between 5-18 years participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day.
Prepare regular family meals at home and involve your kids - this is a healthier option than eating out and sets a great example for children about the importance of nutrition. According to the 2007-2008 National Health Survey 1 in 4 children aged 5-17 years is overweight or obese.
Involve your child in grocery shopping – this is a great chance for you to teach them about good food choices and a balanced diet, and how to read food labels.
Take advantage of the great weather and reduce your child's screen time. Help your children plan other activities with you, their family or friends. Results from a 2010 NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey showed more than 50% of primary children and close to 75% of secondary students regularly exceed the maximum 2 hour daily recommended screen time.
Spend time with your family. Don't get bogged down with -to do' lists and social outings at the expense of uninterrupted time with the kids. Plan activities you can do as a family, or simply relax at home, but do it together.
Be a role model this festive season – don't forget that your behaviour is shaping young minds. Binge drinking is a serious issue in Australia and now is a great time to demonstrate moderation.

'We encourage families to utilise the extra time and warmer weather over the summer holiday period to develop life-long healthy habits with their children," said David Ballhausen, Life Education Australia CEO.

Life Education is the largest non-government provider of health and drug education to children and young people, Australia wide and is well known for its popular mascot, Healthy Harold the Giraffe.

Life Education works to motivate, encourage and empower children and young peopleto exercise real choice – and make informed, safe and healthy lifestyle decisions, through its leading health and drug education programs. Life Education is a registered charity, independent of both government and religion which has been operating since 1979. Over 4 million students have participated in Life Education's program over the past 32 years. For further information on Life Education please visit: www.lifeeducation.org.au