On Tuesday, May 3, I was able to observe a nutrition series that is taking place at SHL Head Start. There will be an ongoing program at SHL Head Start that will focuses on good nutritional skills for children and families. This program is offered by the University of Maryland and is a five week program that offers good nutrition tips and cooking recipes for families. This program was wonderful because it incorporates learning about foods that are good for children and different ways to get children to enjoy eating new foods. The two nutritionists that came to prepare the foods were very knowledgeable and excited about coming to the school.
The first step in helping parents was to get the parents to participate in a motor activity with their children outside. The parents were encouraged to walk and jump along with their children. The suggestion was that this can be done at least 3 times a week. Parents were encouraged to take their children out for a short 20 = 30 minute walk.
The women talked about how to cook healthy meals that are meatless and also discussed how children need not drink juice with every meal. They were encouraged to give their children water along with meals.
Another thing that was positive about this class was that it provided child care to the parents who came to the meeting. Many times parents have no one to look after their children so they prefer not to come to the meetings at all.
Children and parents had a good time at this first session. Parents were able to get good tips on how to create a nutritional meal and children were learning social skills as they waited for the session to end.
Focus question: How do organizations get more parents involved in health nutrition classes in elementary schools?
Can centers offer opportunites for local chefs to come to classroom to show parents how to prepare healthy meals?
Are there interactive computer programs that will teach children about good nutrition?
Focus question: How do organizations get more parents involved in health nutrition classes in elementary schools?
Can centers offer opportunites for local chefs to come to classroom to show parents how to prepare healthy meals?
Are there interactive computer programs that will teach children about good nutrition?
Yvette
Yvette,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good program to share with the parents. I like how it taught both nutrition and social skills. I think we forget the parents have some social issues if it cultural, education or lack of it and even income. Some parents I think they need to be taught skills along with the children.
I like the idea of having local chefs come into the center and teach how to prepare healthy meals. I think I am going to try that in my area. I might even contact the local college (Purdue) and see if students in their hospitality program would help out with this also.
I believe that parent envolment is essential to guiding the child in the right direction. I love how the parents got in envolved. At my site, I provide my parents with a newsletter. within that newsletter, i provide tips on healthy eatying habits, and how to use substitution to make meals healthier. For examply using ground turkey instead of ground beef as hamburger meat.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvette
ReplyDeleteI think what they are doing is really great; providing classes to help families understand the importance of healthy food and nutrients. I am a stay at home mom and am always looking for a great recipe or two for my toddlers who are very picky eaters. I hate taking them out to eat because I really do not feel it’s healthy for them; but then yet they get board of the same food or home cooked meal. They question me why they cannot have outside food and when I try to explain to them they get lost. I try to make their snacks fun and interesting for them, even though it would work the first time around, but the second gets boring. I know that once they start school they will be introduced to other food but I am trying to hold off as much as I can. I also feel going for walks with the kids is the best thing ever not only for them but us as well. My children and I (when weather permits) go for walks for about 30 minutes sometimes to an hour. We create games along the way and bring lots of water with us. One thing about my children that I do not understand is that they hate juice (never gave them coke or anything of that sort) but always prefer water never juice. Very interesting blog makes me realize that what I’m doing is the right way not the strict way. Parents being involved is very crucial for a child's growing life.
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