2015 Children's Health Fair 5-2-1-0 Superstar

[March 30, 2015]  LINCOLN - 5th Graders from Logan County gathered at the Lincoln Park District for the Children's Health Fair on Friday. While there, students were able to participate in activities and ask questions of professionals in health and fitness, medical, safety, and emergency response fields.

Staying in groups, students got a first-hand experience at how the heart works. Jumping through hoops, bouncing balls, crawling through tunnels, and sitting on wheeled dollies pulling themselves along a rope with explanation along the way helped students understand how the blood flows through the heart. Medical personal explained different ways to check your heart rate and how important exercise is to the heart.

Lincoln College students were in the building to help the 5th graders work through some fun exercises, including jumping jacks, running, and lunges. Relay races and running activities were planned to demonstrate that you don't need fancy exercise equipment to stay in shape. You just need to move. High fives were given all around as the kids completed each activity.

Everyone was invited to sit in an ambulance and ask questions about what it would be like to have to ride to the hospital with the paramedics.

Firefighters were on hand to answer questions about what it is like to respond to a fire; until they were actually called out to respond to an emergency.

Students who wanted to participate in something different that illustrates the value of sight, were blind folded and asked to swing a bat at a ball. After a few attempts students realized how difficult it must be for those who are blind to do things that seeing people take for granted.

Throughout each activity, the students were encouraged to take care of themselves: eat properly, exercise, brush your teeth, wear a helmet when doing dangerous activities, etc.

Leaving with a bag full of goodies, students went back to school armed with information that will be useful to help them live a happy, healthy life.

[Lisa Ramlow]