This is the ninth installment of 12 Nutrition Hints & Tips for Your Children which can also be downloaded from our free eBook library.

Maybe you’re taking all the precautions to ensure that your child has a balanced, nutritious diet. You make sure they are active, and that high-sugar or fattening snacks are kept to a minimum. But, as soon as you send them off on the school bus, it’s out of your hands. So, how can you ensure that these healthy eating habits are maintained while your child is at school? Although some public school systems are beginning to offer healthier lunch choices and restrictions on vending machines, this is not always the case. Or, sometimes your child may simply not opt for the healthy choice.

Here are a few suggestions to help your child maintain healthy eating habits, even when they are in the lunchroom.

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This is the eighth installment of 12 Nutrition Hints & Tips for Your Children which can also be downloaded from our free eBook library.

Numerous studies have shown that the rate of childhood obesity continues to rise in the United States. Doctors are particularly troubled by this problem because it can lead to very serious health risks, such as:

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This is the fourth installment of 12 Nutrition Hints & Tips for Your Children which can also be downloaded from our free eBook library.

Many habits can take only days to form, but may take weeks or months to break (or more, depending on the habit). This stands true for good habits, as well as bad habits. If you instill good eating and activity habits in your children from the start, it will make proper nutrition much, much easier to sustain. Here are some tips that can help your child develop good eating habits early on:

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This is the third installment of 12 Nutrition Hints & Tips for Your Children which can also be downloaded from our free eBook library.

Sometimes children are more likely to eat something if it looks like “fun”…even if it’s good for them! Think about it. Which looks more fun and appealing to a child, a fun shaped, frosted cookie with brightly colored sprinkles? Or, a stalk of broccoli? Most children would immediately reach for a cookie, but turn their nose at a vegetable. But, what if that broccoli stalk was actually a tree in a “forest of fun”?

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This is the first installment of 12 Nutrition Hints & Tips for Your Children which can also be downloaded from our free eBook library.

Most parents are concerned about keeping their children healthy. One of the easiest ways to do this is to start with a healthy foundation. Be conscientious of what goes into your shopping cart, and cook meals at home so you know what ingredients your children are eating. Sounds easy enough…but, we know better. Today’s parents are busy. Between shuttling children from school, to soccer, ballet, and birthday parties, you may not have the time to spend hours in the grocery store reading labels and searching for the healthiest ingredients. You may also not have the time to slave away in the kitchen, making organic, veggie lasagna with only the freshest ingredients. Even if you did have the time, how do you get your children to eat it?

Here are a few tips for helping even the busiest moms and dads make good decisions about what goes into the shopping cart:

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All of us at Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. hope you, your family and friends are having a great 2012 so far!

In 2011, we were very happy to debut our new web site (www.CCSWFL.com) and are really happy to start using the power of Social Media, and the Internet, to spread the news about our mission:

“To strengthen and enhance the lives of children and their families.”

Thank you to Charly, Dan and the entire ISG Team for:

• creating our new site,
• educating us on how to maximize the use of the Internet, and most importantly,
• helping us create helpful information for the very families and areas we service.

Our very first eBook, “12 Fun Things to Do With Your Children in Southwest Florida“, has been well received, and has helped many parents, grandparents and families have a better understanding of all of the fun things that can be done with kids of all ages in Southwest Florida.

We’ve been hard at work creating two new eBooks for 2012, and are really excited them!

They are called:

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During this this time of year, we like to give “Thanks” to everyone that supports Child Care of Southwest Florida.

From the many volunteers that give their time, to the donors and sponsors that give financial support, to our employees and board of directors that give with all there heart to make sure the children and families are well cared for at our Child Care Centers throughout Southwest Florida:

WE THANK YOU!

Here are a few letters sent to us, you can view more online at www.ccswfl.org.

Dear CCSWFL:

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you how much admiration I have for Child Care of Southwest Florida. I was a single mom of two children and your agency helped me tremendously for six years. Without the help of Child Care of Southwest Florida, I don’t know how I would have been able to work full-time. It has been six years since I have required your help and to this day I am eternally grateful. I have, and will continue to speak very highly of Child Care of Southwest Florida, as well as refer other parents who may be in need of your services.

Sincerely, Tonya

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Over the past couple of months we have provided tips about the fun, family friendly places to visit in Southwest Florida with your children. Whether you have lived here your entire life or just moved to the area, we hope you have learned about the great places to take your kids. In case you haven’t read this information, you can download it as a FREE eBook. Or simply click “read more” where we’ll give you a summation of our posts on the fun places in Southwest Florida.

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This is the seventh installment of 12 Fun Things to do With Your Children in Southwest Florida which can also be downloaded as a free eBook.

The Six Mile Cypress Slough (pronounced “slew”) Preserve is a wetland park that’s home to many native Floridian plants and animals. It’s a protected area and an official Lee County park. The Slough is located off Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers. The park is open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. It includes:

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This is the sixth installment of 12 Fun Things to do With Your Children in Southwest Florida which can also be downloaded as a free eBook.

If your kids are animal-lovers, then a day at the Naples Zoo might be just the ticket! Southwest Florida is home to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens – a great non-profit zoo located off Goodlette-Frank Road. This attraction has been voted “Best Place to Take Kids” by Gulfshore Life Magazine. The zoo is open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and ticket sales close at 4 p.m. Ticket prices will vary based on age and residency. Look for special prices or discounted tickets, which are often available.

At the zoo, your children can see all their favorite animals – like monkeys, lemurs, apes, bears, lions and even kangaroos! Adventurous kids can even feed the giraffes. The zoo’s path is nearly a mile long, so start early and bring a stroller for young children.

There are always special shows and exhibitions going on at the zoo. Some child favorites include watching professional snake handlers, a daily alligator feeding, a zookeeper demonstration, and a Primate Expedition that cruises through monkey, lemur and ape enclosures. Other special attractions include:

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