Lehigh Valley Health Network is bringing art and knowledge of healthy living together for children in the Lehigh Valley.

With the help of Lehigh Valley Art Spark and Communities In Schools, Lehigh Valley Health Network is collaborating with five schools to teach children about healthy living. At the end of the program, children are given the opportunity to participate in a healthy living art contest, "Community Canvas."

"As a children's hospital, we are stewards of child health and well-being, so we want to work with other community partners to promote healthy children," Dr. J. Nathan Hagstrom, Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, said.

"We saw this as a great opportunity to reach out to the children themselves and start talking about healthy living and educating them about the importance of good nutrition, staying active and taking care of yourself," Hagstrom said.

Kimberly Velez, Manager, Marketing and Public Affairs, Lehigh Valley Health Network, said the program has been implemented at Marvine Elementary School, Bethlehem Area School District; Cheston Elementary School, Easton Area School District; Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School, Bethlehem; Hopewell Elementary School, Southern Lehigh School District, and Washington Elementary School, Allentown School District.

Each school participates in a four-week program, with a one-hour presentation each week. The first presentation is an introduction to nutrition, followed by physical activity, behavioral health and mindfulness and the last week a compilation of the programs.

Communities In Schools provides content based on the hospital's standards for the topic. Da Vinci Science Center coordinates talks on physical activity, nutrition and behavioral health. Kula Cares teaches students yoga. Elevations Health Club and Brianna Collazo get the children moving with Zumba. Eat Well with Gina gives students a talk on nutrition. Life Rhythms provides students with music therapy so they can learn emotional freedom techniques.

An overview of the program is given to students to share with family so that parents know the kind of information their child is receiving.

Contest artwork is displayed at Children's Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Prizes are awarded. Last year's top prize was the opportunity to meet Peyton List from Disney show "Jessie," because Lehigh Valley Health Network and Radio Disney saw her as a star who embodies what it means to be a healthy teen.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is coordinating with local restaurants, such as Savory Grille. Chefs prepare a free healthy meal for attendees to eat. At the finale, five chefs each prepare meals consisting of five healthy ingredients and the students pick the winner.

"I think my very favorite thing about this event is that the families come together and we get to witness the interaction," Mary Bianchi, Vice President, Women's and Children's Services, Lehigh Valley Health Network, said. "Our purpose is to help all children be healthier and that means all families be healthier from a healthy living standpoint."

Hagstrom said the program allows children to be educated about healthy living, while having fun simultaneously. He said this is crucial because poor health, inactivity and obesity can lead to various cancers, such as breast cancer.

"We felt that as a children's hospital it was our responsibility to promote and create healthy children in the region starting with healthy living and preventing obesity and the things associated with it," Hagstrom said.