ELC Gets Kids Moving

On May 9, the University of Delaware’s Early Learning Center (ELC) was recognized by Michele Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative as a top program in the category of Early Education and Child Care Programs and Networks. They were recognized for their creative strategies to engage families in an effort to get children moving and encouraging healthy eating.  

Serving approximately 300 children ages birth through five in Newark and Wilmington, the ELC has initiated a number of multidisciplinary programs from across the University to develop healthy habits.  In addition, parents are provided nutrition information, recipes and resources to help them make changes at home.  The parents appreciate it.

“The ELC has been a valuable resource  for creating the love of exercise and healthy food in my children,” says Lydia Timmins, mother of two.  “From infancy, the ELC encourages movement and healthy behavior. My son now does yoga and my daughter walks the dog because it feels good to run. The healthy eating habits that the ELC engenders has made my job as a mom so much easier.  The kids ask for a colorful plate of food and are eager to try new foods. When you add to that all the love my children’s teachers show consistently to my kids–there’s no better recipe for a family than what comes from the ELC’s kitchen!”

Read the UDaily article “Let’s Move Winner” for more details.