KMS recently received a "Healthy Habits" mini-grant from the Knox County Health Department to enhance nutrition and fitness programs in our Primary classes.

Montessori education is designed to foster the development of the whole child, and good nutrition and fitness are critical to this effort.

KMS already does a lot in these areas, and the grant will help us do even more. We will use the money to do the following:

• Develop new nutrition-related materials for use in our Primary classes.
• Purchase new playground materials and develop new fitness programs for our Primary students, including basic yoga exercises and possibly an exercise circuit on the playground.
• Purchase books and how-to materials for parents with suggestions about family fitness activities and fixing healthy food for children.
• Disseminate information about childhood nutrition and fitness through our website, newsletter, Facebook page, Friday folders, etc.
• Become a Tennessee Dept. of Health "Gold Sneaker" facility as a way of formalizing our commitment to good nutrition and fitness for our students.

Many thanks to the Knox County Health Department for their support. We look forward to sharing more information about childhood nutrition and fitness in the coming months.