Teeth fit right into the benefit that parents and schools are looking for concerning overall health.  You will notice that there are less soda pop vending machines which are being replaced with healthy, lower-fat alternatives such as popcorn, pretzels, nuts, cheese and crackers, fruit and yogurt, all which help promote healthy teeth (and bodies).

Poor nutrition and eating lots of sugary foods and drinks also can pave the way for cavities and gum disease.  Following are some ideas for helping children eat better and stay healthy:

• limit sugary drinks
• keep healthy snacks around
• make sure your child brushes and flosses regularly and visits the dentist twice a year
• make sure your child gets adequate exercise
• set a positive example yourself

Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and obesity in children can lead the way for medical problems as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gallblader disease, osteoarthritis and joint problems, asthma, diabetes, depression, anxiety and even sleep apnea; and also poor teeth health with cavities.  Quite a list isn’t it?

Most children in America do not get enough physical activity and do not eat a balanced diet.  Both of these are a great place to start (and stay) to keep your children healthy.

What does staying active have to do with teeth? is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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The latest news on dirt is that playing in the mud, grass, and puddles reduces stress and strengthens the immune system.  Now that’s a surprise, right?  Dr. Uchebike Nwankwo, a Grand Rapids internist and pediatrician, thinks it’s a great idea to write a prescription at well-child visits to get kids outside every day.

Outdoor play has been shown to reduce stress, boost immune systems and improve far vision, according to the G.R. Press.  One study, by Bristol University, even found a bacterium in soil helps produce serotonin, which can improve mood the way anti-depressants and exercise do.

Now we all have a good reason to go outside and get dirty.  There’s always soap and water to wash us later

For more on this information, also refer to the G.R. Press, April 22, 2012.

Is dirt good for us? is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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As we all know, there are many articles out about being active and all of the benefits because of being active.  I thought you might like to know a benefit that you might not know about children’s activities. 

There was a study recently in Florida about if children were active like in a gymnastics, dance class or similar activity their reading and math scores could go up by 10%!  Now, besides the physical benefit of activity (and not being a couch potato), there is also a benefit for academics.  Pretty cool, huh?  Thought you might like to know that.

Please give the Horizon office a call at 616-669-7722 if you would like more information.  We have also done our own study complete with a graph that we can show you if you are interested .

Here’s to a great day and even better tomorrow!

A Benefit of Keeping Active is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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Do you have a trampoline in your backyard?  Or do one of your neighbors or friends have a trampoline?  If so, do your children  love to bounce on it?  Since spring is coming,  I thought you might like to know some interesting things about trampolines:

• the most injuries occur when jumping more than one on a trampoline.  that is caused by losing their balance and falling ON the trampoline.  The rebound snaps the body and can cause very serious injuries
• if children cannot do a 3/4 drop, they cannot probably do a safe “flip”.  If you have never heard of a 3/4 drop, you are not alone.  Just give the Horizon office a call at 616-669-7722 and we will explain.
• check your backyard homeowners policy.  most do not cover backyard trampolines.

Trampolines can be a ton of fun with  the correct supervision (make sure a mom or dad is out there keeping tabs ) and the above tips are in place.

Have a great, fun day!

Trampolines and Fun! is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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Most of you know that today’s children are known as the, “Everyone gets a trophy generation”.  Sometimes we are reminded of what a great opportunity for growth losing is.  When your kids don’t remember a skill (or routine) or what exactly they need to do, that is a perfect opportunity for personal growth for that child. 

Have you seen the commercial with Michael Jordan where he says he missed 26 game winning shots and lost 300 games and that is why he is a winner?  Share that with your children.  What about Abe Lincoln (lost almost every election he entered), Thomas Edison (10,000 times to invent the light bulb), Dr. Seuss had to make up that funny name and submit his manuscripts again after 30 denials.

There are so many stories that can make your child feel like “losing” is ok.  The key is to keep trying, right?  Hopefully with some stories like the above examples, your children will feel that losing sometimes, is part of winning.

Have a great day!

“Lessons Learned from Losing” is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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Summer is coming!  We can really believe that with this wonderful warm weather, right?  I thought you might like to know that Horizon has 34 summer camps coming this summer.  The schedule is very flexible to fit everyone’s needs, whether it be all day, all week, all summer or even 1/2 day only one time.  The camps are fun and even educational too.  (We don’t necessarily tell the campers that though).

Gymnastics, Just Being a Kid, Arts and Crafts, and Cooking are just a few coming this summer.  Be on the lookout for more information soon or give our office a call at 616-669-7722 and they will fill you in!

Looking forward to a great year!

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You have probably heard about “pop or soda” not being good for us.  In a recent Chicago Tribune article,  sodas, sports drinks and other sugary beverages are an unhealthy choice for kids, according to the nation’s leading pediatricians’ group, which strictly opposes the sale and advertising of these products in schools.

In answer to criticism that their products are helping the obesity epidemic, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and other major players in the food and beverage industry have pledged to be a part of the solution.  In addition to promoting balance, moderation and physical activity, the companies are forming controversial partnerships with the public health sector, including advocacy organizations and professional medical associations such as the pediatricians’ group and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

So, stay tuned for these “health” initiatives and carefully evaluate them –for the health of our children.

Coke, Pepsi health initiatives draw fire . . . is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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You have probably heard a lot lately about keeping active and moving, right?  Have you ever heard of movement classes?  What could they be?  What can be taught in a movement class you’re probably wondering.

Movement is connected with the brain.  Did you know that?  There has been a study in Florida several years ago, called the Smile Study and in the study gymnastics types of movement were examined in connection with academics.  Do you know what they found?  They found that by doing active movements LIKE gymnastics (it doesn’t have to be gymnastics) that reading and math skills can go up by 10%!  Now that’s impressive.

So back to the questions as to what are movement classes?  They are classes in which there are structured active movements to promote coordination, flexibility, strength and agility which go hand in hand with promoting health and academics.  Horizon has a class, which is licensed in the U.S. and abroad, called Motion Evolution.  There are many types of movements in this class!  It even has it’s own website at www.motionevolution.com for your convenience.

If you ever have any questions, please give our Horizon office a call at 616-669-7722 and we’ll be happy to explain further!  Have a great day.

What are “movement” classes? is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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Do you think there is a relationship between health and attitude?  I believe there is.  It’s pretty simple, really.  For the most part anyway.  If you believe in yourself, you can do most anything, right?  That’s attitude.

Here’s an example.  Did you happen to see the video recently of Tony Robbins conducting a very large seminar and getting everyone excited?  He ended up with the people walking across fire.  Can you believe that?  Most of the people there couldn’t believe they could do that (walk across fire) at first either, including Oprah.  Well, you know the outcome.  They did it!

Now, we have to admit, that’s largely because of their attitude.  We can have a great attitude too.  If you think about healthy living is a large part attitude.  As in, what did you eat today?  Did you have fruit, vegetables and reasonable size helpings?  That’s a start, right?  Let’s go from there and have a healthy attitude about health .

Have a great day!

The relationship between health and attitude is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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Most people do not know that there is a difference between power tumbling and gymnastics, so I thought you might like to know the difference.  Power Tumbling is trampoline, rod floor (long springy strip) and double mini (tramp).  Those 3 things summarize what Power Tumbling is all about.

Gymnastics, on the other hand, is bars, balance beams, square tumbling floor, and vault.  Totally different, really.

Power Tumbling takes much less time to become proficient than gymnastics simply because of how it is structured.  As an example, think of learning a cartwheel on the floor or on a balance beam.  Of course the balance beam would take much longer.  That is just one simple example, but gives  you an idea.

Horizon does both gymnastics and power tumbling, but competes only power tumbling.  As I mentioned before,  though, competing is NOT important to us.  Children’s self  esteem and health is. 

If you ever have any questions about the above summary, please just give the Horizon office at call at 616-669-7722 and we’ll be happy to explain in more detail!

What is Power Tumbling anyway? is a post from: The Horizon Complex

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