Library hosts exercise program for kids

Blytheville Courier News

Approximately sixty area children, aged five to thirteen, have been actively participating each week in the hour long "Get Out and Exercise" summer program being hosted by the Mississippi County Library System. Through numerous fun activities, the program is designed to educate children about exercise, their bodies and healthy eating. Activities include tug-of-war, hula hoops, dancing and the process of planting and growing watermelon seeds.

Area master gardener and program teacher Dedrick Davis guides the children each week through lessons plans also designed to teach students early STEM related skills such as scientific observation, photosynthesis and measurements of time and length.

Davis explained the need for the program, "Arkansas is the eighth fattest state and too many of our children suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and from being overweight. Our kids are supposed to bury us, but we are burying our kids because of what they are eating."

The free exercise program is held at the Blytheville Library, 200 N. Fifth Street, on Mondays from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. and at the Osceola Library, 320 W Hale Avenue, on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.. This program continues through July 10th. For more information, call 762-2431.

thenry@blythevillecourier.com