ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

Healthy living has become the theme of the 2004-2005 school year at Imagine Early Learning Centers.

Starting in the Fall of 2004 Imagine started a "healthy snacks" campaign. We removed some old standards from our snack menus like graham crackers and gold fish in favor of healthy crackers free of hydrogenated oils and trans fats. Puffed wheat and whole grain cereals were also added in addition to increasing concentration on fruits and vegetables.
Teachers are also working with parents to increase the healthy content of foods brought in from home, as well as limiting nuts and other foods associated with common food allergies.

Outdoor and indoor gross motor activites continue to be a focus at Imagine. Dance, stratching, gymnastics and yoga classes are among the physical curriculum highlights. Several active parents have volunteered their time to teach physical classes or join us for gym activities.

Finally, for the first time Imagine's Assistant Directors were in charge of planning our annual Fall staff conference. The theme was health and wellness. Presenters conducted sessions on stress reduction, yoga, pilates, Nia, massage, and meditation. Staff learned how to use techniques to reduce their own stress as well as incorportating the strategies in the classroom with their children.

This a request: I would be interested in more info from Robin Rick (Epworth Preschool and Daycare). "Nutritious snacks that the children prepare themselves" sounds like a winner!

We live in an area where almost everyone is physically active in outdoor recreation, so because parents include their children in their activities - skiing, hiking, etc.. children are also active and therefore obesity isn't really an issue for our kids.

The babies are at the mercy of the adults, I have taken care of twins, and as soon as they are 8-12 months, they explore tasting food. Veges, freshly cooked. Fresh fruit they suck out of a muslin cloth. The first tasting of veges, fruit, need to be introduced, and build up to toddlers stage. Habits are formed by tasting a variety of fruit and vege. Fish, beef, is added to fresh veges for taste at first. The infant and toddlers meals are build on these basic food. Exercises are added, after meals and rest is the pattern that the babies growth is analyse during rest. BICS and CALP are explored as early as infant stage. The first word from the babies I care and work with is 'ataata' means smile, in three languages. I picked up the sounds they make and ask parents what they mean. Eating habits are formed and then build in the child's character. What an amazing learning experiences we are all having. The pattern of eating, tasting, resting are very important as the child is developing with a holistic approach of caring and loving. Life begins at birth, followed by many disciplines of learning and growing. Pen Name. Olly T80.

The Healthy Child Care Ohio program provides FREE consultations & on-site visits to child care homes & providers to address nutrition issues. We discuss menu ideas, preparation methods & activities as easy ways to incorporate nutrition education opportunities into a child's day. However, the biggest obstacle may be a providers' attitude toward nutrition! Providers should lead by example: eating meals with children from the same menu, snacking on healthy choices ("snacks" can be fruits & vegetables - not just treats/junk food), moving around with the children during activities rather than sitting, showing an enthusiasm for new, healthy foods (turning your nose-up at a food prompts the children to do the same) & finally, having a good understanding of nutrition guidelines & why they are important to a child's growth & development. The examples you set now, could influence a child's healthy habits for a lifetime!

Some additional info. We provide healthy snacks in the after school program (bottled water, fresh fruits and vegetables, vegetarian pizza, carrot supreme, fruit smoothies, etc. We bring in fruits and vegetables that are uncommon to the children (eggplant, artichoke, pomegranite, 100% whole wheat bread, fresh ground peanut butter, passion fruit, red cabbage, etc.) and discuss how to prepare them. All the foods that are served in the after school program are dairy-free and animal-free. We promote eating plant-based foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and 100% whole grain foods. The children also receive a very colorful recipe book and a child-friendly nutrition brochure to share with their parents that provides healthy tips and suggestions to encourage parents to model healthy eating behaviors and ways to encourage the children to develop healthy eating behaviors.

We have a program, partly funded by the Missouri Foundation For Health, that provide medical screenings for at-risk children (8-10 and/or 4th-5th graders). The screens include glucose testing, blood pressure, BMI and a nutrition evaluation. The results are mailed to the parents to give them an opportunity to know this information about their children. Once these at-risk children are identified, they have the opportunity to participate in an eight-week after school that includes nutrition education and physical activity. We teach the children how to value themselves, how to value their bodies and how to value good health as a foundation before we begin to teach them about healthy foods or healthy food choices. This concept helps to reframe their thinking which makes behavior change more effective. Then we move on to helping them identify healthy foods versus unhealthy foods, planning menus, tools to help them make healthy food choices, doing recipes, etc. What we have found to be successful is to incorporate the nutrition education into the physical activity portion of the program. For an after school program, children don't want to be doing more paperwork. So we teach nutrition as the children are involved in physical
activities. So they are learning as they are having fun and being active. For example, if we play straddleball (see SPARKS Program), the circle of children represent the human body and the different colors of balls represent fruits or vegetables that must stay within the body. Also while they are playing the children can call out what kinds of fruits and vegetables the balls represent. You can add so much variety to this game to help children understand healthy eating and healthy food choices. Once we leave the program and see the children again, they remember the game and the information they learned when they played the game. They, in turn, tell their parents and influence the parents behavior.

To help develop healthy eating habits in our classroom, and to introduce students to new foods they may not see at home, each student is encouraged to take a "Thank you taste". This is just a little taste, and the student's can spit it back out if they don't like it. Each student tries the food as a way of saying "Thank you" to the person who brought it, to their classmates who made it, to the farmers who grew it, or to the people whose jobs brought it to them (the grocer, the truck driver, etc.) When the food has been made by the students in class, or when it is store bought, we allow the individual student to say who their "Thank you taste" is for, encouraging discussion of the different occupations as well.

How can we as an organization expect the children to be thin when we teachers are obese?? The children see all the obese teachers eating badly so what are they to think? I suggest we model good eating behavior for them and they will follow.

I agree with Diane Kisner. One of the best things you can grow in the children's garden is a gardner. You also grow a appetite for what they grow and it can be organic also. Many children do not get a chance to grow things and are surprised to see that not everything comes from the store. They are more willing to try new foods if thet see it grow.

Our Center's population (children, staff and community) are predominately Latino and childhood obesity among Latinos has skyrocketed at an alarming rate. Recognizing this epidemic and the long lasting impact it could pose into adulthood, we have made a committment to address a healthy lifestyle. The children participate in two 45 min periods of physical activity everyday, with a structured dance program once a week, a gymnastic/creative movement program once a week and have implemented a traditional physical education program once a week which has all but disappeared from many of the public schools. We also have started a family and community health initiative under the premise that a family who exercises together will begin to understand and adopt a healthy lifestyle as a unit. It is along the lines of a Mommy and Me program but that one evening a week we hold an exercise, dance, gymnastic, yoga type class for adult and child. You must attend as a pair or an entire family unit in order to participate. Hopefully we will assist in reducing the trend of childhood obesity in our community.

We, at the Milford Family Resource Center, have been conducting "Friday is Fruit Day" in the first and second grades of the Pumpkin Delight School in a "successful" attempt to encourage children to make good snack choices each and every day. On Wednesday of each week, the children suggest three fruits at which time the children vote to determine which fruit will be featured on Friday.
Pertinent and age appropriate information is gathered about each fruit and presented in a fun fashion during the am snack time on Fridays. Children report that they have chosen fruit as a snack at other times during the day and on weekends. Parents and teachers are pleased with the results of this program which was started in the fall of 2003. The program is funded through a mini grant of Milford Public Schools and funds from the Family Resource Center.

In my programs I was the nutrition and exercise nut, not over zealous but good round habits were developed. Between our toddler and preschool playgrounds I created a planter box approx 28" high, 3' wide by 20' in length; not only did this serve as the barrier between playgrounds but it became our vegetable garden that teachers and children shared in the duties. Children and staff planted, water, weeded and then prepared the vegetables for snack and lunch. We also had flower beds surrounding the perimeter of the yard with the same philosophy. Tending the gardens is physical exercise and can create life long habits enjoying the outdoors.

In addition our outdoor play time was expanded beyond the regulations of 2hrs outside each day. If it snowed first thing we went out and shoveled the walks and built snowmen and forts. Proper clothing and extra mitts where also on hand and available to every child no matter how they came dressed. Staff wore full snowsuits to ensure their warmth. In the summer months the whole program went outside with pond studies, hikes and nature walks. In essence we modeled for our children; we went outside and participated in large muscle group exercies at every opportunity. Inside yoga, gymnastics on floor mats, balance beams along with other games provided variety.

The key is the staff took ownership by modeling and in partnership through participation with the children everyone led a much healthier and vigorous life. Parents who balked at the idea were gently provided material to read and success stories were shared. The children were our greatest ally asking parents to plant certain vegetables in home gardens and asking to go tobagganing or skating or to the pool.

Children love what the world has to offer in a healthy was - it is simple up to the adults to honour and respect theire desires.

OCCS, in collaboration with Dept. of Ed. (Early Learning Services Division) and Harvard School of Public Health have developed a 6-hour training for early childhood and school-age educators. The training includes an overview of physical development (birth to age 12), statistics regarding obesity, information on appropriate nutrition and what is occuring in our nation and it includes physical activities and nutrition activity suggestions. We also develped a "Healthy Kids Move" manual that has the above information and two sections; one with movement ideas for various settings (child care, family child care, school-age environments, home) and cooking activities. It has been very well received statewide and nationally. This is our fourth year offering this training through our Child Care Resource and Referral Agency Network. You can access a technical assistance paper on this topic on our website: www.qualitychildcare.org.

Thank-you for your continued work on this important topic.
Sincerely,
Jody Figuerido

Child Hood Obesity is becoming a problem with our young children in today's society. I believe that as educators we not only have to educate the children during the time that we spend with them on a day to day basis but the parents as well need to be educated on nutrition too. It is true when people say that the apple does not fall far from the tree which in turns goes back to the child's home life style. Most likely if the child is eating unhealthy than the family is likely to be eating unhealthy too. If the parents are more likely to change this problem with our children as a family committment rather than the child as the indiviual, I believe that more positive results will occur resulting in a healthier population all around.

We use the American Heart Association's "Heart Treasure Chest" program every year as an enhancement to our curriculum. This program can be taught in a three-week period, then reinforced throughout the year. It comes with a guide and hands-on materials to teach units on the circulatory system, nutrition, the dangers of smoking, and exercise. It is an excellent, well-researched, easy-to-follow program geared to pre-schoolers.

Since parents provide lunch for their children at the center, teachers use meal time as an opportunity to teach nutrition. By talking about the different food groups and asking children to tell what fruit or vegetable they brought that day, it encourages children to know the importance of a balance lunch
and even to remind their parents that they need to include a variety of foods each day. A teacher sits at each table and eats with the children which promotes good conversations and table manners.

The Edible Education program has developed a program that alllows children to participate in activities that teach them through farming and nutrition as a part of their cirriculm. Children plan, plant, grow, harvest and cook foods they grow. Having ownership of the land has taught them openness to new foods and whole new way of eating.
Our class room is around our raised beds, on the farm and in class rooms. The children learn about composting and all that has to do with the food cycle through hands on experience.
This program is life altering for the children. Start a garden today and see.

1. Understand your philosophy of food consumption, learn about how food is processed differently among individuals, and monitor your attitude toward those who are thinner or heavier than you are.
2. Be sure that all staff is aware of the sugar and fat content of popular and easily-obtained foods. Figure out how to work with any staff members who are obese or even "overweight" for their frame.
3. Figure out clever, helpful and economical ways parents can ensure their children eat healthy food - be concrete and specific with foods, quantities and recipes.
4. If there are obese or "chubby" children in the program, work with parents and health professionals to break the cycle of eating too much of the wrong foods.

The past few years I have been reading more articles and seeing more and more child care facilities that encourage teachers to take indoor activities outdoors. As I read the articles and saw teachers actually begin to take art, reading, puzzles outdoors I also began thinking what a positive step it was to “take learning outdoors” as I had many times heard it phrased. At first all I could see was how much more the children could learn cognitively and was quit enthusiastic about this idea but as I began to watch the play of the children it I noticed that most of the children were choosing to engage in these low activity level experiences at least some of the time and for some children most of the time they were outdoors. My new thought became - we are taking away active, physical play that not only creates healthier bodies but healthier minds and substituting that play with less active play that they were already getting large doses of indoors. These less active experiences require little or no physical activity so they could potentially lead to children burning even fewer calories and using their bodies less competently. In addition the mind/body connection supports cognitive learning in many ways that less active play cannot. Learning does not stop when we step onto the playground.

I realize that there are many facilities in warm climates that spend a large part of their day outdoors so it is appropriate to have all types of activities available. However, the reality is that in many facilities these activities are being done in the short amount of time each classroom is allotted each day on a playground that is shared with many other classrooms on a rotating schedule.

Instead of taking low activity level activities outdoors we need to concentrate on helping children to use their bodies competently through movement experiences. And if we still feel strongly about taking more cognitively oriented activities outdoors lets do it with gross motor activities.

We ask that junk food not be sent with lunch. We limit snacks, particularly when not healthy if sent in by parents to small amounts. We suggest items parents can send in to the classroom. We send information home about healthy, good tasting snacks and foods for children.
In our classroom, we have food preparation activities involving apples, celery, oranges and other healthy foods.

All classes play outdoors a minimum of 30 mintues in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon.

Snack and lunch menus are built around healthy foods with sweets and empty calories virtually eliminated.

Curriculum units include healthy lifestyle learning.

Parent newsletters include healthy tips and resource information.

Cooking experiences are incorporated into curriculum on a regular basis.

We believe it is important to integrate healthy habits every day throughout every part of our program, and with family involvement (education) and support. This involves getting enough rest, good nutrition, strategies for the art of self-care to help reduce stress, good-modeling for healthy eating during meals, and plenty of exercise and outdoor learning. Children in this country simply do not get enough large motor and movement for many reasons (e.g, maybe they don't have any yard or it is not safe where they live; too much sedentary time with TV or computers; or perhaps they have limited outdoor exposure in out-of-home care). Certainly these most important concepts need to be meaningfully visable and reinforced everywhere in the written materials, daily routines, indoor and outdoor natural learning environments, and interactions taking place in the program. We have a school community garden, culinary gardens, composting (including vermicomposting), animal habitats and more to help everyone understand the importance of healthy living in a developmentally appropriate habitat and ecosystem.

I wish that we had a wonderful solution. We have a summer camp that operates in conjunction with the Center and so see children as they get older. It saddens me to see the number of children who are on their way to real weight problems.
We think that our menu is probably the biggest impact that we can have on children's nutritional habits. We try and ensure that it contains many fruits and vegetables as well as very few items that contain fat. We also encourage teachers to be enthusiastic about the healthy items so children see them as positives. We encourage families to bring alternatives to cake and ice cream for birthdays. We suggest things like watermelon, blueberries, strawberries or corn muffins as some alternatives.
We also spend a lot of time playing outdoors. In the winter we sled and build snowmen, in the summer we play under sprinklers and climb hills.

Children are more likely to enjoy new foods if they prepare them themselves. One particularly successful activity is making Stone Soup. After reading the book of that name, ask children to bring a vegetable from home. (Have a few on hand to supplement the selection in case it is too limited.) Show the children how to wash their own contribution and, if possible, peel it, cut it up, and add it to the pot or skillet. Even 3's can use a carrot peeler with close supervision, and cut up veggies using a plastic knife and paper plate cutting board. Vegetable soup will be more flavorful if you brown the veggies first and use chicken broth instead of some or all of the water.

I have found that most "picky" eaters enjoy soup they make this way, much to their parents surprise.

Forgot to add that we also use the program, Food--Early Choices--A Nutrition Learning System for Early Childhood put out by the National Dairy Council in the early '80's. The kit has many hands on activities with cards, posters and the star, "Chef Combo," a puppet. Although, this was published in the '80's many things are applicable and we have updated non-current information.

Our main strategy is focused on serving healthy foods from infancy through kindergarten. We serve no red meats, only chicken, fish and vegetarian meals. Our meals are made from "scratch" using whole grains, fresh, natural and organic ingredients and low salt, sugars.

We feel that if we can introduce healthy foods early in life and have alternatives for sugar products that children enjoy this will be a start in the right direction. We encourage children to drink water often. Teachers talk at meal times about the foods we eat at their level and why we eat these foods and have activities about foods.

We also include large muscle activities and exercise everyday.

Providing healthy snacks and noutritious foods at school and at home is a way to start healyhy eating habits. Getting children involved in sports and outdoor activities will take them away from TV and computer games. Children also have to enjoy some "junk food" so they won´t be wanting to have everything all the time.

Purchase fruits/vegetables in season. Serve apple wedges with peanut butter, finely chop broccoli and carrots and put on pizza crust BEFORE the cheese.

This not a solution but an adjustment in our way of thinking. To target foods and restaurants is ridiculous. What the real issue is activity. Children can burn off quite a few calories and fat with a lot of activities. We promote the use of our gym, dancing and exercise tapes. I'm not saying we should serve or eat all the junk food available. I am saying that in today's society children don't walk to school anymore. Physical programs are not as prominent as they use to be. We certainly promote the right kinds of foods in the proper proportions. Cookies, candy, sweets, chips and other junk foods should be seen as a party treat only. Children should learn that these are special treats only and learn to eat the right foods for meals. This will help as they grow to adults to hopefully not indulge.
There is a lot of activities that involve sitting in a chair, like computer games.

All in all it is the activity level that sets the trend in obesity. The wrong foods is after the fact. So let's keep the propaganda under control. Let's look at what we can do to increase activity.

One other thought is child care centers are limited in the fresh fruits and vegetables that can be served due to choking hazards. Our hands are tied when it comes to home made, from scratch meals we were served when we were children. Unless you are a center that has an approved cooking facility you are limited to home made meals. Meals brought in from other sources are not always made from scratch as well. Resosurces are needed to fund a full kitchen with a cook for all centers that serve meals.

So, this brings us back to.......increase the activity instead.

I order several cases of seasonal fruits and vegetables weeky. Fruit is always availabe to the children. At 5:00 we put out sliced peppers, carrots, or fruit. One evening each week I roast brocolli. The children love it (many of them - not all). It's amazing what children are willing to try at 5:00!
The parents love coming in and seeing their children eating fruits and vegies.

Parents as Teachers National Center will be offering the High 5 Low Fat CD-ROM Curriculum for professionals working with families to use when educating parents about the importance of healthy eating. The program encourages families to get five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and cut fat intake by making small changes to their daily diet. Lessons like "Rate Your Plate" teaches parents how to evaluate what they are eating and "Shop Smart" presents strategies on buying healthy food economically. Professionals are armed with a variety of handouts to share with families such as recipe cards and calendars showing produce in season. The High 5 Low Fat CD-ROM Curriculum will be available in Spring 2005. Check out the Parents as Teachers web site at www.ParentsAsTeachers.org for more information. Also check out recent media coverage by the Associated Press: http://g.msn.com/0MNBUS00/2?http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6827997&&CM=EmailThis&CE=1

Encourage daily active play with teachers and other adults involved in the play.

I believe obesity to be a largely lifestyle related issue -- as our cars, shopping carts, TV's and food portion sizes get larger and larger, and the amount of physical activity gets smaller, it's no wonder people are getting bigger. People are not moving as much as they used to, whether it is to walk to the store or to clean the house or to just play outdoors. Technology has made it so easy to sit and control things with the click of a button. Our children are spending more and more time indoors watching TV or playing computer games where it used to be that children were running outside and mucking about, burning energy, breathing fresh air and having a great time doing it. My solution -- turn off electronics -- no more TV and computer games -- find alternative entertainment that includes physical activity -- play sports, take walks, visit the beach/mountains -- not only will we become healthier in body, we will become healthier in mind..nature is the best classroom.

Every thing we introduce to children must be fun - food is fun At our center we involve the children in creating fun foods with healthy end results.- Lettuce wraps instead of always using bread for instance. As an early childhood educator with 36 years experience I am convinced that "the fun factor" is the key to encouraging children. The parents and our staff first find out if we are all on the same page regarding "educating" their children. Then we proceed with our "healthy" habits of preparing and eating foods that are a real "gift" to us. K. Bilman

I eliminated chocolate from the menu -- no exceptions -- teachers could not use it in cooking activites, candy counters, art etc.

Also no store purchased cookies our cook made them from scratch.

We pushed fresh fruit and the canned fruit she rinsed with tap water to remove the syrup.

One last thing comes to mind -- no donuts, pop tarts, sugared cereal etc. we served cherrios, rice, whole grains.

Model healthy eating at snack and mealtime in class. Talk about how good healthy foods make you feel and how sick too much candy or junk food makes you feel. Relate it to characters they can relate to. Did anyone ever eat too much candy, chips, etc. Everything in moderation sing this word. How many chips would be moderate 4 or 5 or none-- even better. Goldilocks and The 3 Little Bears with the porridge that was just right might be good.
Ask for "reports from the kids" on their family's eating.
Ask for "reports from the kids" on their family's exercising.
Post the reports on the bulletin board. Or make a picture book to send to families with comments. Talk about sizes and how everyone has a healthy weight for their body and some of us are skinny , some medium, some round--Mesomorphic, ectomorphic and endomorphic would be fun words to learn.
Take children outside every day and hike around backwards round the play yard or run around 5 laps and give all a small water bottle when they come back inside for snack with an orange 1/2. Talk about endorphines another great word! ( I am not a speller, but hopefully you will edit this). I am a physical eduation teacher, preschool owner, director and exercise enthusiast all my 57 years and am the same weight as in high school and feel 27. I value my health as # 1 because I can help no one else unless I feel good or as good as I can be. I am no goddess and have learned along life's path, you do the best with what you have, be kind to others and help others to enjoy happy moments each day.

WE have to remember we cannot save the world. but, we can have some sort of influence. If we set the standards, perhaps we can have an impact. WE can fight obesity by being sure that what we serve meets healthy (USDA) standards.

If you are so incllined in your program to celebrate holidays, and you have parents bring in food, you can sepcify what you want them to contirbute. This is a good time to be healthy and stay away from junk.

Smart School Snacks

Smart School Snacks is a comprehensive 5-part preschool nutrition program developed by the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies at Nova Southeastern University.
The initial intention of the program was to change the mind-set of the snacks being brought into school from sugar type party snacks to examples of healthy, balanced nutritious snacks. We began the program two years ago and the general attitude regarding school snacks and foods brought into our center has changed. We now feel that we are helping our young children build foundations for a healthy life style.


Smart School Snacks in Summary:
Comprehensive 5-part preschool nutrition program.
1. Smart Snack Learning Center
2. Smart Snack Food Cards
3. Smart Snacks-in-a-Box
4. Smart Snack Sentence Strips
5. Smart School Snacks Cookbook

The program is flexible and can be employed in whole or in part, moreover, parts can be modified to suite individual teacher needs. Each part of the system emphasizes a different aspect of nutrition education.

The Snack Learning Center is a classroom center. Snack is a choice during center time. The primary goal of the Snack Center is to establish and cultivate independent healthy eating habits. Secondary goals include promoting self awareness, building self confidence, and developing social skills.

Smart Food Cards are picture/word index cards. Food Cards have two principle objectives, first to focus on healthy food choices and second as a venue for meaningful literacy lessons.

Smart Snacks-in-a-Box is an index card file box with dividers that separate the Food Cards into food groups. The central intention of Snack-in-a-Box is to give children a basic understanding of food groups and experience creating balanced, healthy snacks.

Smart Snack Sentence Strips are typical school sentence strips that have been laminated and velcroed to hold the Food Cards.Their purpose is to give children a clearly defined space to practice and comprehend daily nutrition lessons.

The Smart School Snacks Cookbook is a classroom created 3-ring binder containing prictures of healthy snacks that children bring in from home. Snack recipes integrate math, science, problem solving, and fine motor development. However, the key aspirations of the classroom cookbook are to encourage nutrition and increase literacy lessons, at home and at school.

(c) Nova Southeastern University: MSI

Our goal with our snacks is to encourage the children to eat more fresh fruits, vegetables and grains. We have created 30 different nutritious snacks ideas that rotates monthly. An adult sits at the snack table with the children while the child combines the ingredients to prepare their own snack. We have found that if the children help to prepare their snack they are more likely to try the a new food.

Insure opportunity for physical activity/movement in child's day, particularly if in organized non parental care settings for long days. Simple walks, yoga, etc.
Get family involved in good choices framework: encourage to move and track family success; encourage to keep track of good food choices as family.

We have a policy which requires parents to send healthy foods, primarily whole grains, proteins and fruits and vegies. When we cook with the children we use no sugar recipes and provide parents with non traditional ideas for celebrating birthdays and other celebrations without high sugar foods. For example, clementines for a winter birthday treat, watermelon for summer, frozen juice pops etc. We occasioanlly still have parents send a bag of cookies or other suger foods. We then simply ask children to save that food for their ride home at the end of the day.

We believe that in order to promote healthy food habits, we must begin by serving healthy, attractive food that children are interested in eating. It may take more planning and cost a bit more to serve more fresh fruits and vegetables and less processed foods but the end result is worth it!

The children at our center are allowed to eat their snacks whenever they are hungry instead of at a specified time. They learn to listen to their bodies instead of eating just because "it's time."

Within program follow child food program guidelines for school meals and snacks, eliminate "sugar" in school, include active throughout each child's day with you. Provide parents with information that will help them to make better decisions at home re: tv, videos, food choices, etc.

One of the fun ways of teaching young children is to have a weekly cooking activity in which the children prepare their own nutritious snack. You can find recipes that are develop-mentally appropriate for almost all ages. If I were a teacher in an afterschool program, I would have the children fix their own snack every day. I would set up step-by-step food assembly lines with cards that show what to do at each step so they could each prepare their individual snack. This would let them learn how to prepare a variety of nutritious snacks for themselves at home. These are hands on activities that can also teach a lot more than mutrition--fine and gross motor skills, science, social skills as they work with others, math, information about other cultures, while also fostering high self-esteem.

Familys worry about getting enough food let alone the right foods. Let families know about community food sources that are free. Fast foods and soft drink sales in High Schools promote poor diets undermining families good diets. Get business interests out of schools. Our food program would do better if we didn't have to shop at the Food Bank to balance the budget.

Our Pre-K class has nutrition month every February. Every school day for the month, children are encouraged to eat all 5 food groups (including vegetables) for breakfast. For those who get this done, (we give them about 3 misses) they win a golden spoon. This is real gold ware, and we have a family dinner at the end of the month (this is also the Willow Woods birthday party) and do a big presentation. We also always recognize all of the past Golden Spoon winners, and children take great pride in this. Children are responsible for eating and reporting what they had for breakfast every day, and to put them into the correct category.

Parents hate having to do this, but usually relent in leiu of the size of the prize. We will count anything, pizza, chicken, etc. and give a creative list of breakfast options. Some of the Dads go for the one selection that will include all of the food groups (a BLT with cheese would count, if you count the tomatoes as a fruit). We cannot control what children eat forever, but we hope to impress on them the value of eating well. Almost all of the staff are obese, and very aware that they are role models, and try to not eat anything not nutritionally sound around our children. I think that it helps all of us be aware of what we eat.

We use the USDA food program and are eliminating juice and replacing with water when when 2 of 4 components for snack have been met. It's a little step toward a larger goal of revamping the menu for a 4 center business. I would love more ideas!

We have always served AM and PM snacks in our program. These snacks are donated by families. This year we revised our suggested donation list to include only "healthy" snacks, encouraging fresh fruits, raw vegetables, cheeses and crackers. We serve only milk and water to drink. When families register with our program they fill out a H.A.R.T. form (Home and Rainbowhill Together)that gives them options for involvment and one item is donating special food items. From this list we generated those who would bring gallons of milk when needed. We've made progress! It is difficult to wean families from the idea of juice, especially apple juice, and cookies as snacks. Yesterday we got french toast sticks for pajama day and a fresh pineapple and cantelope.

1. All meals are vegetarian; desserts and sweets are limited.
2. Snacks are limited to fruits, grains, vegetables, & nuts (as appropriate for age groups) rather than commercially produced "snacks"; served with water, milk or 100% juice.
3. "Party" foods are limited and monitored; i.e. mini-cupcakes vs. regular sized cupcakes, juice rather than soda, fruit rather than candy, etc.
4. Parents who send lunches with their children are given a full page of lunch ideas that meet mealtime menu criteria - fast food items are strongly discouraged!
5. All food served at Parent Programs are vegetarian - made (not purchased) by a cook, staff, or pot-luck style by parents.
6. Frequent water breaks. Other liquids are avoided when between meals or quenching thirst.

We have created a garden where we plant, harvest and cook our food. Our "outdoor classroom" teaches us not only nutrition, but also composting, water conservation, nature observation and fun, fun, fun,.

I believe that owners, directors, and principals of early childhood programs/schools must insist on nutritious snacks and meals. The policy should be spelled out to all employees and parents (and children, if old enough to understand) so that all parties follow the strict nutrition guidelines. When I owned/directed my accredited program in the late 80's and 90's, I established a policy that no sugary desserts, drinks, "fruit chews", chocolate, or other junk food was allowed at the school. If a child came in with any of the off-limit foods in his/her lunchbox, they were told that they would have to save that for later when they got home. Parents quickly got the message that we were serious about this. All snacks that we served were 3 different food groups each, with nutritious choices each day. I remember children trying kiwi for the first time and loving it! Like Nike says, "Just Do It!"

We have incorporated two 30 minute physical activity times into our daily schedule at our preschool center. On 3 days a week the children have 20 minutes of vigorous activity. We have started charts that the children can place stickers on to indicate when they have eaten a fruit or vegatable. We also offer water as a beverage choice at snack and meal times. The children are ages 3-6 years. When have scheduled a dietician to come and present ideas to parents on how to pack a healthy and fun lunch.

Make eating right a thread that goes through the outreach to parents effort, while eating right should be woven into every meal, snack, and party at school. Pretty food is more readily enjoyed. Example: fan slices of fruit on a plate, serve a potion of pink yogurt as a dip, and call it 'painted desert' then talk about the painted desert, read a book about the painted desert while enjoying the treat. Ban doughnuts from the center! Let the kids plant. A green bean that you raised from a seed is more interesting and delicious than one that comes out of a can. Back to parental outreach: send home bean seeds. Over time, outreach can impact community eating habits.

Each classroom receives some money every month to spend at the neighborhood produce stand for snack foods. When they control the variety, quantity, and quality they are more likely to serve it. They can make snack shopping a regular part of their curriculum.

Each month we try to publish a healthy lunchbox recipe to help parents expand their ideas about what to send for lunch.

One of our program directors makes a point of watching for new foods that are healthy and introduce unfamiliar taste treats. When she finds them, she purchases enough for each classroom to try. One month it was a coconut, another month it was rice cakes, once there were pomegranites.

In my previous preschool program the children brought their own lunches and parents rotated providing snack for the class. We would send home information on healthy lunch ideas, but not all would take the suggestions. We would encourage the children to eat their healthy foods first then have the other items. It was amazing how many parents think fruit snacks are fruit. Some children could pick and choose from incredibly healthy lunches, others were a stretch to figure out what the child should eat first. As for snacks, to get away from the junk food we assigned each week a food group. One week was dairy,the next was grains, then fruit and last vegetables. We rotated the weeks so parents didn't always bring the same thing and we gave suggestions to parents who weren't sure what to bring. We did have someone try to sneak "cheetos" in as a dairy product. This worked well and we encouraged the parents to have their children select the items so they knew it was something their child would eat.

Give milk and water as choice for drink (rather than juice), Parents sign up on calendar to bring fresh fruit or veggies to school 2x per year and serve a fresh fruit or veggie snack every week, Ask teachers not to drink beverages (other than water or milk) in front of children (soft drinks, coffees, etc should stay in break room), kids love to watch the magic of making juice (let kids put carrots and apples through a juice machine every now and then for a big dose of vitamins).

We have clear guidelines on foods parents should send fo snack and lunch (no sweets, water or milk instead of juice, whole grain breads...)
We print at least one article in our school newsletter on nutrition every year
We talk with parents if we feel that there is a problem with a particular child's nutrition
We have regularly scheduled P.E. sessions with our older preschoolers
We go to the playground twice a day in every weather
We do not use television in school
Every other year children have a unit on health and nutrition (in addition to daily instruction on handwashing etc)
During lunch we supervise the children closely to make sure they eat their food in the proper order
We serve water at all meals, and serve juice only after children have eaten some when parents end juice for snack.

Kids like to eat stuff they made, even if it is healthy:)
We are well stocked with excercise and aerobis videos. The kids can put them in for themselves just for fun. We have daily exercises. We promote healthy lifestyles among our staff, because we believe they are the most important factor in teaching children to be healthy. If they care, it will come through all day long in their conversations and habits.

involve chldren in menu planning-important
offer a choice of raw or cooked vegetables
"sample" new vegetables regularly
offer three choices- two are expected to be eaten
sit down and eat with children
do not serve breaded, fried foods at all
children assist in preparing meals!
serve salad meals (with meat)
limit cheese and chips for snack
whole grain breads- serve often to encourage
serve fresh fruit instead of canned
rfresh fruit instead of juice
NO sugary drinks like Kool-aid
no fruit snacks, limited cookies

We did a long extensive theme unit on food and nutrition with the children. During this time we collected recipes from the staff and parents and published a cookbook through Cookbooks by Morris Press which we sold near cost. They publish church and other organizational cookbooks. The purpose was to educate and inform not make money.

The beginning of each category (Appetizers, Vegetables, etc.) featured a photgraph of one of our children eating or using play food with an educational caption. We included information such as what children should eat, portion sizes, songs and chants related to food, children's books about food, lunch box ideas, etc. along with the recipes.

We now give them to all new staff members and new parents can purchase one if them wish. They make great gifts for Mother's Day or a house gift when visiting friends or family. The cookbook is called Potluck Surprises and features a colored picture of a teacher's child sitting in a huge pot surrounded by vegetables. We are proud of the finished product. It was well worth the effort.

Our summer camp sites are using the theme: "GETTING PHYSICAL" this summer. Focus and ativities will all be geared to eating right, making right food choices, getting active and becoming health conscience.

1) Let kids help plan menus, if possible. Use the food pyramid as a guide, or, some variation on what our kids came up with: "one protein, one fruit or vegetable, one grain, something green and something from a cow." Yes, we've had cereal and broccoli with peanut butter yogurt sauce, but it was healthy, and the kids become more open to trying others' ideas. This can work at home or school, and as kids get older, taking on more of the preparation and cooking gives them a greater sense of appreciation for what others do for them.

2) For families: invite your child to add four healthy things and one treat to your shopping list (what counts as healthy will vary from family to family - one four year old successfully argued, "Soap is healthy, right, Mom?" In some families, a treat is candy, whereas for others it's a drinking yogurt or dried apricots). The kids then have a helpful way to participate in shopping, too.

3) Plan a "crazy dips" meal. Dippers include pretzel sticks, carrots, celery, graham crackers, tortilla chips, apple slices, grapes on toothpicks, hot dogs, etc. Dips include ranch dressing, apple sauce, ketchup, yogurt & peanut butter, etc. Kids can choose to dip or not to dip, but even picky eaters tend to get caught up in the fun of wacky combinations and will try new things. (To keep this a healthy activity, provide each child with a divided plate or small individual cups for the dips).