The Knox County Health Department (KCHD), TENNderCARE and a host of community partners are once again planning activities to observe Child Health Week, Oct. 6-12, 2014. In honor of Child Health Day, first proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1928, the State of Tennessee designates a week in October every year to focus on the health of its children.
"We're encouraging everyone in Knox County to do what they can to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of our children," said Charlayne Frazier, TENNderCARE program manager at KCHD. "Whether that means role modeling healthy behaviors for your children or grandchildren, promoting healthy habits in our schools and child care facilities, or supporting observances like International Walk to School Day, we can all have a positive influence on the lives of our children."
Child Health Week activities are designed to raise awareness of the many ways the community can help children have healthy, productive futures. Local activities include:
Monday, October 6 - Celebrating Healthy Children Kick Off
KCHD, East Tennessee Children?s Hospital and TENNderCARE will host the Child Health Week Kick Off Monday, Oct. 6 at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and City of Knoxville Community Relations Director Thomas "Tank" Strickland Jr. will proclaim Oct. 6-12, 2014, Child Health Week in Knox County and Knoxville. KCHD Director Dr. Martha Buchanan and East Tennessee Children's Hospital President and CEO Keith Goodwin will also make remarks.
Tuesday, October 7 - Healthy Habits
TENNderCARE, in conjunction with Knox County Schools and community partners, will host a Healthy Habits Learning Day at Fair Garden Learning Center. Students will experience interactive learning stations that encourage good health. Topics will include physical activity, proper hand washing, healthy snacking, dental screening and others.
Wednesday, October 8 - Physical Activity
Oct. 8 is International Walk to School Day. In Knox County, more than 20 elementary and middle schools are taking part in this initiative to promote family involvement in regular physical activity. Parents should contact their child's school to see if it is participating.
Thursday, October 9 - Nutrition
To encourage families to make a healthy breakfast part of their daily routine, Knox County Schools will offer all Knox County students free breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 9. By serving a healthy version of French toast sticks, the school system is encouraging kids to "Stick with Breakfast."
Special weeklong activity:
To help children learn about healthy habits, the Knox County Public Library (KCPL) will incorporate health-related books into regular storytimes, one of KCPL's initiatives to help children develop literacy skills. For more information contact Erin Nyugen at 865-215-8761 or click here.
Child Health Week is an initiative from the Governor's Children Cabinet, which is designed to coordinate, streamline and enhance initiatives across multiple departments to empower, educate and engage Tennessee families. Child Health Week in Knox County is made possible by partnerships with Knox County Schools, Knox County Health Department, East Tennessee Children's Hospital, BlueCare TN, United Healthcare Community Plan, DentaQuest and Safe Kids of Greater Knox Area. More healthy living tips and resources are available here.
