Testimonials

What is being said about At My Best®?

Comments from Parents/Guardians

"[My daughter] would have a healthy snack and then she’d say, ‘Exercise is good for you; it makes you well. Healthy food is good for you.’ I think that for some reason, the program is connecting for her."

"He’s making the connection between [ideas] like, if I don’t finish my breakfast, I’m going to be hungry half-way through school and I won’t be able to concentrate."

"My son brought home a book where he had to draw something that he liked doing that was healthy. He loves riding his bike, so that was his picture of riding a bike. He really enjoyed doing that."

"Actually when my son brought this note about At My Best®, I didn’t pay much attention, but then he started explaining the program, and I found it really interesting. I didn’t have to explain it to him and he was explaining to me, which is amazing."

Comments from At My Best® Pilot Teachers

"At My Best® is a package. I didn’t have to go looking for beanbags. I didn’t have to go looking for books. I didn’t have to go looking for anything. It was all given to me in that big box and I found that very helpful."

"The at-school/at-home connection was fabulous. We got good feedback with the at-home connection."

"I didn’t have any questions about what I was going to do. [At My Best®] had the book, the puppet, the take-home book, and the blackline masters. It had everything we needed to do the program. Everything was there. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything."

"I found [the students] very enthusiastic. I was most surprised about was how enthusiastic they were, how interested they were in the program. They would listen really attentively to the lessons, and they really enjoyed the activities."

"I’ve got this one student and he eats chips every day for lunch. Now, everyday he is saying, ‘Is this healthy? Maybe I shouldn’t have chips anymore. Maybe I should have a sandwich.’ I’m just thinking of him and the chips and the tie in to home. The way the program ties the parents into what’s going on in school – to get their kids to eat healthy, to bring the parents in – hopefully his mom won’t send chips for lunch anymore."

Comments from Health and Education Experts

"At My Best® is an excellent program that offers wonderful resources for teachers and parents so that they can help children develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to lead healthy lives now and in the future. At My Best® acknowledges the integral role that parents play in helping their children to lead healthy lives, and is indeed one of the best health education programs I have seen in my many years of teaching. I highly recommend it for all children, teachers and parents in Canada!"

Louise Humbert, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan

"Helping students develop their emotional ABC’s Ability, Belonging, Caring is as fundamental to life as helping students develop their literary ABC¹s. I am proud to have been a part of the writing team for At My Best®. The unique aspects of this resource combining physical activity, healthy eating and emotional well-being; structuring a strong link with the students’ home and supporting the teacher and the students with colourful and engaging hands-on materials make this resource a treasure for primary teachers, their students and their families."

Myra Stephen, Vice-Principal and At My Best® Writer, Toronto District School Board

"At My Best® is a great program that supports the curriculum. It is fantastic that parents are involved - not only because they are the decision makers for our children, but also because it may influence their own practices around healthy eating and physical activity. This enhances the program’s positive impact to both children AND their parents."

Norman Russell, Middle Level Physical Education Mentor/Sports Coordinator, Fredericton, N.B.

"At My Best® offers a proactive lesson package for Cycle 1 and 2 physical education teachers. Lesson focus on the development of physical abilities, belonging, and caring directly corresponds to the personal development section in the Quebec physical and health education curriculum: improving self esteem, familiarization with life values, developing competencies for positive and healthy interaction with others, and developing self responsibility. This is a resource to be explored!"

Krista Smeltzer, Co-President, APEQ- Association of Physical Educators of Quebec

"At My Best® is an invaluable tool for teachers to enhance their work with students in developing healthy, active lifestyles. It compliments our combined Manitoba Physical Education/Health Education curriculum and has the involvement of the family, which is crucial in the development of healthy lifestyle practices."

Jacki Nylen, President, Manitoba Physical Education Teachers’ Association

"At My Best® was developed by a combination of public school teachers, university professors, health specialists, and curriculum writers. Through such collaboration, an interactive and motivating program that aids teachers throughout Canada to meet respective learning outcomes is now available. Congratulations on job very well done! At My Best® affords educators a resource that meets the varying learning styles of their students. It is necessary to revisit physical activity and health related issues in classroom settings in order to supplement quality physical education programs. In doing so, students will be better situated to understand the importance of making healthy decisions throughout their lives. I predict teachers are going to really appreciate this valuable resource!"

Amanda Stanec, PhD, Assistant Professor, St. Francis Xavier University

"I would like to congratulate PHE Canada and its partner AstraZeneca Canada on providing teachers and families with a great tool to enhance the health and well being of our children. Together you are providing a very user-friendly tool that is available for specialist and classroom teachers. At My Best® will certainly help to increase activity levels and provide opportunities to reach curricular outcomes. " Helping Every Child Thrive"... What a global and wonderful goal!"

Cheryl Tanton, President, Prince Edward Island Physical Education Association

"With the addition of full time Physical Education Specialists at the elementary level here in New Brunswick, At My Best® is a great way to provide support and further endorsement of living a healthy, active lifestyle. The lesson plans, resources, and other readily available materials make it easier for the classroom teacher to implement into their curriculum. Given the rise in obesity and sedentary living, this is a terrific way to combat this epidemic."

Greg Leland, Elementary Physical Education Mentor, Rothesay, New Brunswick

"Teachers are always looking for new resources and I know they will love At My Best®. With the new Physical Education Integrated Resource Packages mandatory implementation for schools in BC effective September 2009, this resources is timely."

Irene Wallace, Instructor, University of Victoria

"Ophea believes that entire school communities share a responsibility to support and enhance active, healthy living for all children and youth. As an organization, we are supportive of innovative, creative and evidence-based approaches to increasing the knowledge and skills of community leaders so that they are equipped to foster active, healthy living. At My Best®, developed by PHE Canada, is a comprehensive resource that supports teachers, parents and community leaders in motivating students to see the connection between physical activity, healthy eating and emotional well being."

Chris Markham, CEO, Ontario Physical and Health Education Association

"The At My Best® program is a great resource to support both the new Health and Career Education and the Physical Education Curriculum at all levels from Kindergarten to grade 3. The program is also a means to supporting Daily Physical Activity in both the classroom and playground environments".

Don Hutchinson, President, Physical Education – British Columbia