The Fall River Citizens for Citizens (CFC) Head Start program began using a completely refurbished activity room on October 20, 2009, thanks to the help of the Children In Balance (CIB) program. CIB, which operates in Fall River Public School grades 1-3 to encourages movement and healthy eating, funded the renovation project. Childhood obesity has been an increasing problem within the United States, but thanks to a Head Start program this problem is being addressed among pre-school children. Head Start has set in motion I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL), a proactive approach for addressing childhood obesity in Head Start children. IMIL seeks to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, improve the quality of movement activities intentionally planned and facilitated by adults, and promote healthy food choices every day. Click here to see how the room was created.  Click here for a video segment of how activity is encouraged in the program. For further information about the project, contact Project Manager Marcia Picard at 508-324-2228.
 

(Top row) Children In Balance (CIB) project manager Marcia Picard observes while Head Start staff member Dawn Mello supervises children in the use of banners and a hop-scotch board. (Middle row, left) Education specialist Bernadette Oliveira teaches Synthiana Rivera how to use some animal feet stilts. (Middle row, right) Head Start staff member Lisa Botelho helps Lillian Camara use her stilts. (Bottom row, left) A child tries his hand at a golf game was Ms. Oliveira watches. (Bottom row, center) Josean Laurador tries his hand at bowling. (Bottom row, right) Ms. Oliveira hands the golf balls and clubs to one of the children.