The Healthy Living Challenge  (HLC)  was first introduced as part Doctors Nova Scotia’s free, school-based running club to assist coaches in addressing healthy lifestyles.

The five-day challenge encourages participants to be active, eat well and reduce screen time.

In response to requests from teachers, the HLC has been made available for use in the classroom. The HLC has been approved by the Nova Scotia Department of Education for teachers to use to support active healthy living curriculum. Although the HLC can be used with learners of all ages, it may be most suitable for middle-senior elementary students (Grades 2-6).

The HLC includes a teacher’s guide, which contains suggestions on how to introduce and implement the program, basic information about healthy eating, physical activity and screen time and exercises to enhance learning. A list of resources related to active healthy living is also provided and includes teaching tools such as handouts, PowerPoint presentations, website and interactive online tools for students.

The Healthy Living Challenge is made possible with support from

Health Canada’s guides

Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide
To order copies for your students email: hc-sc.gc.ca  or telephone 1-866-225-0709. Expect two to four weeks for delivery.

Eat Well and Be Active Educational Toolkit
Includes posters and activity plans that can be downloaded.

New physical activity guides
New guidelines for physical activity were released in January 2011. 

PowerPoint presentations

Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide 
32 slides, including detailed presenter notes that can be tailored to better fit school-aged audience.

Portion Distortion
34 slides by the US Department of Health and Human Services that compare the difference in portion sizes from the past and today and gives information about how much physical activity is required to burn off the excess calories.

Understanding Nutrition Labeling from Health Canada 
27 slides regarding label reading. Very detailed.

Other resources

Kids' Run Club
A free school-based running program designed to help Nova Scotia children and youth get active and learn about healthy lifestyles.

Teach Nutrition
Dairy Farmers of Canada offers bilingual resources for teachers categorized by grade level.

Healthy Eating is in Store for You
From Dieticians of Canada. Includes downloadable information sheets (in English and French) and activities.

Active Healthy Kids Canada
Contains an annual report card on the current state of physical activity among Canadian children and youth.  

Mission Nutrition
Kellogg Canada bilingual website designed to engage and educate students in healthy eating, physical activity and self-esteem. Includes downloadable resources for teachers.

Active and Safe Routes to School
A comprehensive approach to increasing the use of active transportation by children and youth, and making it safer for them to do so. This is a Nova Scotia arm of the national site.

ParticipACTION
A national resource for inspiring and supporting Canadians to move more.

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia
Related to heart health (healthy eating and physical activity) for people of all ages. Has a kids/teen zone with information for teachers including lesson plans related to heart health.  

Media Awareness Network
Canadian non-profit organization that promotes media literacy and digital literacy by producing education and awareness programs and resources (for purchase). Includes a free games section that helps teach media and digital literacy.

Student resources

www.dairygoodness.ca
Dairy Farmers of Canada bilingual interactive programs

www.getenough.ca 
A Dairy Farmers of Canada tool to help determine if you’re getting enough dairy servings each day.

www.rechargewithmilk.ca
Comparing chocolate milk with other beverages.

Eating/Activity Tracker and Assess Your Health
Dieticians of Canada interactive programs including a grocery store that teaches about food group recommendations and label reading. Also an individual eating and activity tracker students can utilize to compare their diet and activity levels with Health Canada’s recommendation. 

Create a personalized food guide
Health Canada bilingual tool for creating a personalized food guide containing food group items and physical activity options.