Healthy Hippo was created by Joni Downey, founder of Characters of Character NFP, Inc., to help children understand, internalize, and portray what it means to have healthy habits. Healthy Hippo helps children relate to the trait associated with the Character by being a visual (similar to their favorite cartoon character.) They begin to learn about the trait through conversations, activities, books, discussions, and art activities. Once there is an understanding and connection between Healthy Hippo and healthy habits, children will eventually begin to portray what it means to make healthy choices. From there it transitions from mimicking the trait they’ve learned about to understanding and internalizing it so that it becomes second nature to make healthy choices in all settings. As the child grows older, they continue to develop the trait even after Healthy Hippo as a visual reinforcement begins to fade out.
Teaching healthy habits early on builds the foundation for better decision making later on in life. If you know the importance of keeping your body, and mind, in top shape, and see the positive effects of making good choices, you will want to continue on that path as you continue to grow. Healthy decisions will begin to be made without having to think about them - it will becomes habit to exercise daily or choose a healthy snack over a sugary one.
Behavior Bear In The Classroom
When people think of healthy habits most will think of exercising, but there is so much more to just breaking a sweat.
Healthy Hippo helps children learn, understand, and internalize that healthy habits include taking care of your mind and body - including what we put into our bodies.
Choosing a hippo as the animal was also an intentional choice from Miss Joni, who created all nine of our Characters of Character, because it also allows children to accept that every body looks different and size doesn’t necessarily mean healthy or unhealthy.
Take Healthy Hippo With You Wherever You Go
Click each individual image below to find our Healthy Hippo resources on Amazon. Every purchase helps support our mission of providing a firm foundation for children to develop strong civic values and your support is greatly appreciated!
