Youngsters urged to take first steps to good health
AHEALTH drive to encourage tots to do a ‘daily toddle’ has been launched in Rochdale.
It aims to get children to do 10-15 minutes of toddling outside in the fresh air every day.
The scheme was launched with four family fun days at children’s centres across the borough.
More than 150 children attended the events to take part in the first toddles as well as other fun physical activities such as Balanceability, Yogini’s and soft play provided by Link4Life. They also tried out some healthy snacks and met special guest Rochelle the Healthy Hero.
Centres have signed up to the new scheme to help children under five meet the 180 minutes of physical activity they need to do every day to stay healthy.
The new scheme will see children receiving their very own ‘Daily Toddle Passport’ which will track how well they are doing at being active.
Every time a child takes part in a toddle or walks to and from the centre their passport will be stamped, with five stamps earning the child a Healthy Heroes sticker. The aim is to complete the passport by collecting all six Healthy Hero stickers; Milly the Dog, Woody, Tom, Penny, Rochelle and Dale. On completing the passport the child will receive a ‘You’re a Healthy Hero’ certificate to say well done.
The passport also includes hints about nutrition, fun physical activities and healthy rewards for families along the way.
Coun Sara Rowbotham, the council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “The Daily Toddle is a free and fun activity that every child, regardless of ability or personal circumstance, can get involved in. A toddle every day can not only improve a child’s physical health by helping them to improve balance, strengthen bones and maintain a healthy weight but it can also have a great impact on their social, emotional and mental wellbeing. I urge all families to take a step towards a healthier future and get involved in a daily toddle at your local children’s centre.”
The Daily Toddle scheme is part of the council’s Healthy Heroes childhood obesity campaign, which aims to reduce obesity rates in the borough by encouraging healthy eating and physical activity within families.
Families wanting to get involved in the Daily Toddle should contact their local children’s centre for more information. A list of centres and their contact details can be found at www.rochdale.gov.uk/ childrenscentres ●●Kathryn Kenny and her one-year-old daughter Francesca Kenny with Coun Donna Martin, assistant to cabinet member for children’s services and Rochelle the Healthy Hero