We Can

The Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Division offers free We Can! parent/caregiver education workshops to help families make improved food choices, increase physical activity, and decrease sedentary screen (TV and computer) time. Workshops can be offered in English or Spanish. 

Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition (We Can!) is a national program developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help prevent overweight and obesity among youth ages 8-13.  The We Can!curriculum is built on evidence-based strategies that impact children’s healthy development and weight.  

The We Can! parent workshop is a sequenced series of four 2-hour daytime or evening workshops that present basic nutrition and physical activity concepts, develop parent skills in implementing changes in their family’s daily routine, and offer tips, suggestions and recipes.  The workshops are interactive and allow time to address individual parent questions. Parents receive a take-home handbook, related resource materials, and a certificate of completion.

The Division offers We Can! classes in partnership with schools, community centers, and other community-based organizations.  The partner organization recruits parents/caregivers, arranges space for the workshops, and provides childcare if necessary.  The Division provides a trained workshop leader (a nutritionist or health educator), all materials, small incentives/give-aways, and healthy refreshments. 

Boston organizations may request a workshop at their site by contacting the Division. 

Request a free workshop for your site

Boston’s We Can! Program and NIH

The Commission’s Boston Steps program was an original site for NIH’s pilot implementation of We Can! in 2005.  Boston Steps staff took the lead in adapting the parent education curriculum to meet the cultural and social needs for parents of low-income, Black and Latino populations and in translating all materials into Spanish. All suggested supplemental materials, and Spanish translations are now available on the national We Can! website.

In 2007 Boston was the site of the national announcement of NIH’s We Can! partnership with the National Association of Children’s Museums. Boston received NIH designation as a We Can! city, based on the Commission’s accomplishments in implementing this evidence-based curriculum.  Mayor Thomas M. Menino also issued a proclamation announcing Boston as a We Can! We Can! city.

For more information on Boston’s role as national leader in the We Can! program, go to We Can!  website.

"Little bitty changes have really made a big difference in all of our lives. Recently I was surprised and thrilled to see my son ask for a wrap sandwich, instead of a burger, during a visit to the mall. He also voluntarily gave up some of the candy from his Halloween bag." Ivonne Borrero, Boston We Can! Parent Program participant, speaking at the 2007 designation of Boston as a We Can! city. 

Resources

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality
Get a free interactive DVD.  “Max's Magical Delivery: Fit for Kids is a fun, interactive DVD targeted to children ages 5-9 and their families. The DVD offers suggestions to: Try to eat five fruits and vegetables a day, Get away from the TV and computer screens and move around, find fun ways to be physically active inside and outside. There is a separate section for parents on small, achievable steps they can take to encourage these healthy habits in their children and themselves.”

Alliance for a Healthier Generation
“Helping your kids get and stay healthy isn’t always easy. It’s hard for them to resist the unhealthy snacks, sodas and fast food that seem to be all around them. It’s also tough to get them away from the television and computer screens and find places for them to play and exercise. Here are some helpful tips and information to help you take positive steps!” Provides links for parents to webpages in the following areas: 1) Healthy Home: Adopt New Habits And Make Your Home A Healthy Home, 2) At School: Advocate For Your School And Take Action, 3) Out And About: Keep Things Healthy When You Are Away From Home, 4) At The Doctor's Office: Get The Information You Need.

American Heart Association
“How To Help Your Kids” webpage provides information for parents on the following topics regarding how to lead a heart-healthy life: “Diseases, Conditions and Treatments,” “Top Ten Ways,” “How to Make Fast Food Friendlier,” “How to Limit Tube Time and Get Your Kids Moving,” “Ten Do’s for Dealing With a Picky Eater,” “How to Get Non-Athletes to be Physically Active,” and “Take Control of Portion Sizes.”

Bright Futures Nutrition Family Fact Sheets 
Provide tips for parents on nutrition and physical activity: Bright Futures Nutrition Family Fact Sheets are a series of fact sheets for families that highlight content from the publication Bright Futures in Practice: Nutrition. These illustrated fact sheets provide information in a question and answer format.

Center for Young Women’s Health
Nutrition and Teens: A Guide for Parents offers nutrition and wellness tips you can work on as a family.

Help Your Child Grow Up Healthy and Strong Department of Health and Human 
This brochure provides some tips on how you can promote healthy eating habits and encourage active lifestyles in your family.

Nibbles For Health: Nutrition Newsletters For Parents Of Young Children
Newsletters for parents on nutrition and physical activity: Nibbles for Health was developed for child care center staff and parents of young children enrolled in child care centers. This kit offers child care center staff guidance on conducting discussions with parents in three ‘sharing sessions’ and accompanying posters. Also contained in the kit are 41 reproducible newsletters that staff can provide to parents to address many of the challenges they face.