May Is Family Wellness Month

MAY IS FAMILY WELLNESS MONTH. The commemorative month encourages healthy family lifestyles and habits. It underscores the importance of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health in happy, functioning families.

According to Mary Ann Russo, a SUNY Upstate Medical Center pediatric nutritionist, Family Wellness Month was created to help families overcome their biggest challenges to staying healthy and connected. As she explains in the Peds to Parents post, “Celebrate Family Wellness Month,” the goals was “to provide an opportunity to reflect on family habits, lifestyles and find ways to improve mental and physical health.” 

There are countless ways for PJ Library families to focus attention on well-being. Some families may spend time evaluating their overall lifestyle and habits. Others may set specific goals, such as spending more quality group time together, reading aloud regularly, eating well, or getting exercise. 

To help families commemorate Family Wellness Month, PJ Library has pulled together a list of Jewish children’s books (arranged by age group) corresponding to four areas of family wellness — eating well, being active, spending time together, and working together as a team.

However your family chooses to pursue family wellness, PJ Library supports your efforts. Making a few small changes to the family routine can go a long way.

EATING WELL
Good nutrition and diet is an essential part of a healthy family. Try a new recipe or make food preparations a family affair.

	All of Me: A Book of Thanks Author: Molly Bang Illustrator: Molly Bang Ages: 18 mos.–3 yrs. Focus: Appreciating the foods we eat.
	Apple Days Author: Allison Sarnoff Soffer Illustrator: Bob McMahon Ages: 4 yrs.–6 yrs. Focus: Making healthy snacks together.
	Rabbi Benjamin’s Buttons Author: Alice B. McGinty Illustrator: Jennifer Black Reinhardt Ages: 5 yrs.–8 yrs. Focus: Enjoying what you eat (but not eating too much).

BEING ACTIVE

Get those healthy bodies moving! Be active as a family, either by trying something new or expanding an existing habit.
 

	Shai’s Shabbat Walk Author: Ellie Gellman Illustrator: Holli Conger Ages: 18 mos.–2 yrs. Focus: Going on a family walk.
	Sadie and the Big Mountain Author: Jamie Korngold Illustrator: Julie Fortenberry Ages: 4 yrs.–6 yrs. Focus: Taking a family hike.
	Noah’s Swim-a-Thon Author: Ann D. Koffsky Illustrator: Ann D. Koffsky Ages: 5 yrs.–8 yrs. Focus: Going for a swim.
	Hare and Tortoise Race across Israel Author: Laura Gehl Illustrator: Sarah Goodreau Ages: 5 yrs.–8 yrs. Focus: Going for a family jog.
	Jumping Jenny Author: Ellen Bari Illustrator: Raquel Garcia Macia Ages: 5 yrs.–8 yrs. Focus: Exercising for a cause.

SPENDING TIME TOGETHER
Focus on group togetherness by organizing family activities. Include relatives and close friends, even those who might live some distance, by traveling or hosting.
 

	Fridays Are Special Author: Chris Barash Illustrator: Melissa Iwai Ages: 18 mos.–2 yrs. Focus: Preparing for Shabbat as a family.
	Good Night, Laila Tov Author: Laurel Snyder Illustrator: Jui Ishida Ages: 2 yrs.–4 yrs. Focus: Exploring the world as a family (e.g. a camping trip).
	Only Nine Chairs Author: Deborah Uchill Miller Illustrator: Karen Ostrove Ages: 3 yrs.–6 yrs. Focus: Inviting family over for holiday celebrations.
	First Rain Author: Charlotte Herman Illustrator: Kathryn Mitter Ages: 4 yrs.–7 yrs. Focus: Making a special trip to spend time with grandparents.
	Oy! Feh! So? Author: Cary Fagan Illustrator: Gary Clement Ages: 6 yrs.–8 yrs. Focus: Encouraging intergenerational connections.

WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM
Teamwork is fostered through practice. Whether your family cleans the house, does yard work, or helps others, it will be the group effort of working together that is important.
 

	Mitzi’s Mitzvah Author: Gloria Koster Illustrator: Holli Konger Ages: 2 yrs.–4 yrs. Focus: Planning a family visit to a Senior Center.
	Say Hello, Lily Author: Deborah Lakritz Illustrator: Martha Aviles Ages: 4 yrs.–6 yrs. Focus: Volunteering as a family.
	The Magic Pomegranate Author: Peninnah Schram Illustrator: Melanie Hall Ages: 5 yrs.–8 yrs. Focus: Working together as a family to help others.
	A Mountain of Blintzes Author: Barbara Diamond Goldin Illustrator: Anik McGrory Ages: 5 yrs.–8 yrs. Focus: Achieving a goal by working together as a family.
	The Schmutzy Family Author: Madelyn Rosenberg Illustrator: Paul Meisel Ages: 5 yrs.–8 yrs. Focus: Having fun making messes and working together to clean them up.

Whether your family takes a walk, embarks on a trip, or prepares a Shabbat dinner, the group activity will have a healthy impact because it will have been done together. Spending time with family and those closest to you is the best way to focus on wellness.

April 15, 2015