Dear Parent and Caregiver,

We all know that regular physical activity is essential for a lifetime of good health.  In an effort to inspire children to have fun establishing healthy activity habits, your child’s recreational facility will be participating in the VERB ™ Make-It-Up program.

VERB is a campaign designed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase and maintain physical activity among multicultural children ages 9-13.  VERB Make-It-Up is one in a series of VERB programs and initiatives designed to inspire kids to have fun getting and staying active.

An active lifestyle is a reward in itself.  It improves overall fitness; helps enhance self-esteem and can build self-confidence.  But VERB offers even more.  Children will engage in VERB Make-It-Up activities that they create as well as those provided by their caregivers, teachers and youth leaders at the recreational facility.  These will be interesting and challenging activities that provide the type of excitement that turns physical activity into fun.  

The VERB Make-It-Up program is designed to supplement your children’s core physical education lessons and after-school activities.  To implement the program, the recreational facility and your child need help from you.

Here’s what you can do:

Talk with your child about his or her current physical activities, suggest new ones he or she might like, and try a new activity with them.

Support your child’s efforts by driving him or her to before- or after-school events, by organizing those events or by volunteering to be a coach.

Make an effort to join your child in his or her physical activities. 

Create an activity that combines your child’s favorite sports or games and give it a try.  Let your child make up the rules.

Your child’s recreational facility recognizes the role regular physical activity plays in the health, welfare, and development of its children.  Please join us in encouraging your child to have fun getting and staying active.

Thank you,

Faye Wong
Director, VERB Campaign