Nationally recognized for promoting health as an integral component of school readiness, Choosy Kids supports quality teaching and learning with uniquely designed resources featuring Choosy, an influential health hero and role model. In addition to creating unique educational resources for children, staff, and families, Choosy Kids is also well known for providing exemplary professional development training for ECE staff.
Our unique active learning approach in Early Childhood Education increases physical activity, promotes healthy nutrition, and supports staff well-being and self-care. Choosy Kids resources include award winning music that includes health themes, active screen time videos, digital and print support materials for classroom and home use, and staff development training to maximize the use of our innovative resources. Health Has An Influential Hero
Now more than ever, health needs a hero like Choosy. His name stands for Choose Healthy Options Often & Start Young. Choosy has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children and families nationwide through wellness programs, award-winning music, and unique resources that make physical activity and healthy nutrition fun, cool, and empowering.
LEADERSHIP Linda Carson, Ed D
Linda Carson is the Ware Distinguished Professor Emerita at West Virginia University and founder of Choosy Kids. Under her leadership, Choosy Kids has become well known for health enhancing resources and staff training for child care, Head Start, and allied health. Professor Carson is nationally recognized for her expertise in early childhood motor development, active teaching and learning, and health promotion. Dr. Carson served as the content expert for the original design of I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL), an award winning obesity prevention initiative launched nationally by the federal Office of Head Start. She continues to provide leadership for IMIL expansion and dissemination. Professor Carson has been recognized with honors and awards over her career for distinguished service to teaching and health promotion, and has devoted her career to promoting healthy habits for young children and the adults who make decisions on their behalf. OUR TRAINERS Choosy Kids serves as the national training team for the Office of Head Start’s award winning initiative, I Am Moving, I Am Learning, and provides unique in-person and on-line virtual staff development training. Courtney Elder, MA
Courtney is a Professional Development Specialist at Choosy Kids and is known for his energetic and engaging approach to promoting staff wellness, active early learning, and strategies to encourage healthy habits in classrooms and at home. Patty Kimbrell, MA
Patty is an instructor at San Diego State University. She has been a teacher, consultant, and sought-after trainer in the area of childhood physical activity and movement for many years. She brings a career of diverse teaching positions and experiences to each training event. Patty has been a member of the Choosy Kids training team for IMIL since the very first event in 2004. Kerry McKenzie, MS
Kerry has served as Childhood Obesity Prevention Specialist and Project Coordinator for Prisma Health in Greenville, S.C., and is CEO of Whole Again Wellness. She is an exemplary teacher and trainer in all areas of health promotion and is a valued member of the Choosy Kids training team. |