Healthy Steps Towards Moving & Learning

Early childhood development programs and child care settings are poised to be an effective public health partner in advocating for reduced TV screen time and promoting healthy lifestyles. The project is the implementation of a physical activity resource known as I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL) Be Choosy, Be Healthy Kit, developed by Region III T the West Virginia Motor Development Center, West Virginia University. The kit is a resource with distinct modules on brain and motor skill development emphasizing the mind-body connection. Understanding these concepts is paramount to integrating quality physical movement within the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework or other early childhood curriculums. Additionally, IMIL provides strategies for parents supporting physical activity in their home, which ultimately impacts TV screen time.

The project includes training, to build motivation and confidence, and strengthening the competencies related to increasing intentional physical activity required to increase daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels in young children and reduce exposure to TV screen time, e.g. video games and computers. Developing materials in participant’s primary language to determine the barriers to physical activity and monitoring classroom implementation. The target population is the low income predominantly Mexican-American children and families residing in 30 Texas counties in northwest, southwest and Rio Grande Valley regions. Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), EHS and HS along with private child care staff and partners will be trained to reach an estimated 4000 children at 56 centers.

The organization’s primary focus is servicing migrant children. These families move in northward streams from Texas to southern regions of the United States (U.S.) so the adults can seek work in the agricultural industry which includes the production and harvesting of tree and field crops, as well as tobacco. The migrant family often lives in “colonias.” These communities exist without fundamental services such as water and electricity. Texas has the largest numbers of colonias, with an estimated 1,400 situated primarily along the 1,248 mile Texas-Mexico border. The potential barriers to decreasing screen time for young children are the rural environments where most of the families reside.