Since its arrival from the North Pole a few years ago, the Elf on the Shelf® phenomenon has spawned countless blogs and Pinterest posts chronicling scout elf antics and children’s reactions. This year, First 5 Sacramento and Dairy Council of California are teaming up to show parents and caregivers how to “haul out the healthy” with Elf on the Shelf®.
The concept of Elf on the Shelf® is scout elves who fly to the North Pole to report to Santa each night, offering a powerful incentive for children to follow the elf’s example. Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna, Chair of First 5 Sacramento, explains, “From buckling up in a car seat to getting flu shots and eating balanced meals and snacks, Elf on the Shelf® can be used to encourage healthy habits this holiday season, in addition to good behavior.”
Dairy Council of California started the #HealthyElf campaign with an online gallery and Pinterest board. #HealthyElf helps pack sack lunches, plays indoor hopscotch, builds a snowman and even plays online games at the HealthyEating.org website. First 5 Sacramento joins the campaign this year to help reinforce other healthy habits of early childhood, like outdoor play, vaccinations and more.
The #HealthyElf images show easy ways to take small steps toward healthier lifestyles, like making hot cocoa with milk or offering yogurt dip along with vegetable trays, to help families meet their recommended daily servings of milk and milk products, which is an essential part of a healthy diet. Other images, like #HealthyElf playing hopscotch indoors on a board made with blue painter’s tape or jumping rope, help encourage physical activity.
“Elf on the Shelf® demands a lot of creativity from parents, so #HealthyElf is designed to provide some additional ideas that will keep health top of mind this holiday season,” said Ashley Rosales, registered dietitian nutritionist with Dairy Council of California and First 5 Sacramento advisory committee member. “Since the elf brings an expectation of good behavior prior to Christmas, it’s a perfect way to model healthy behavior.”
To follow the adventures of #HealthyElf, visit HealthyEating.org/HealthyElf and visit pinterest.com/DairyCouncilCA or pinterest.com/first5sac. Parents are encouraged to tag their own healthy Elf on the Shelf® ideas with #HealthyElf to be part of the fun.
About Dairy Council of California
Dairy Council of California serves as the dairy industry’s contribution to community health by providing a science-based nutrition education curriculum and resources that help children and families improve their eating habits and make nutrient-rich choices from all the food groups. For nearly a century, Dairy Council of California has partnered with schools, health professionals and community leaders to offer families simple steps for making balanced food choices while communicating the essential role that milk and milk products play in a balanced diet. Funded by California’s dairy farmers and milk processors, Dairy Council of California’s nutrition resources reach millions in California and throughout the United States. Find us at HealthyEating.org.
About First 5 Sacramento
Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on tobacco products to support programs for expectant parents and children ages zero to five. In the last year, First 5 Sacramento distributed approximately $14 million a year in Prop 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs. Every county has a First 5 Children and Families Commission providing unique local services for that county. Find us at First5Sacramento.net.
SOURCE Dairy Council of California