The heart pumps 3.5 to 7 gallons of blood per minute!

Did you know that the heart pumps 3.5 to 7 gallons of blood per minute!? What an amazing organ!

As February is Heart Month, we are focusing on ways you can take charge of your child's health by developing healthy habits now that will reap benefits later in life. The most effective way to do this is to make healthy living a priority for your entire family!

These are the top 10 ways you can create a heart healthy lifestyle for your family (As seen on www.childrens.com):

1. Keep moving

Exercise as a family; ride bikes, take a walk, go swimming or play games outside.

2. Be positive

Make heart health fun by incorporating games into your family activities or walk to a park for a healthy picnic dinner. Celebrate successes to promote a positive sense of self-esteem.

3. Limit screen time

Excessive screen time leads to a sedentary lifestyle and constant snacking, which increases the risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Limit TV, computer and phone time to two hours each day.

4. Schedule checkups before sports season

If your child is an athlete, have him visit the pediatrician for a physical evaluation to rule out the risk of sudden cardiac death. While this is rare in otherwise apparently healthy teens, it must be addressed to identify those who are at risk.

5. Go to the grocery store together

Learn more about reading nutrition labels and make it fun for your child. Staples in your kitchen should be 100 percent whole wheat or grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts.

6. Keep healthy options on hand

When your child gets home from school, give him healthy snack options such as whole grain crackers and string cheese, hummus dip and vegetables, Greek yogurt with apple slices, nuts and dried fruit.

7. Make dinner a family affair

Involve your child in cooking and planning meals.

8. Check salt intake

Avoid processed foods and keep salt shakers off the table.

9. Stay involved

Be an advocate for your child and others. Insist on good food choices at school. Make sure your child's pediatrician is monitoring cardiovascular indicators like BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol. Contact public officials on matters of the heart. Make your voice heard.

10. Be realistic

Set realistic goals and limits. Small steps and gradual changes can make a big difference in your child’s health over time, so start small and build up.

Read the full story on '10 ways to keep your child's heart healthy' here.

Read more from the ARS Wellness Committee Here.

About ARS:

American Renaissance School is a K-8 public charter school in Historic Downtown Statesville, NC.

Our mission is to ensure a standard of academic excellence by providing a nurturing environment that allows each child to reach their fullest potential as students and citizens.

Our vision is to be the best choice for education in North Carolina. Our board, administration, staff, and teachers, with parental and community input, have identified our core beliefs and core values, which in turn are reflected in our strategic priority areas. These guide our daily operations at all levels.

Learn more about ARS here.