healthy eating activities - seslhd · page 23 suggested time outline 20 minutes session two:...

Section 22

healthy eating activitiesIntroduction to Healthy Eating Activities .......................................................19

Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children ...............................20

Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup ..........................34

Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup ....................................43

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HealthyPlaygroupDividerNEW.ai 5/7/08 9:02:23 AMHealthyPlaygroupDividerNEW.ai 5/7/08 9:02:23 AM

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Healthy Eating ActivitiesINTRODUCTION

The activities promote consistent, healthy eating messages and are designed to be conducted within the playgroup setting. The activities allow parents and carers to be involved in decisions about the food provided at playgroup and guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup.

CONTENT

Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children (page 20)

Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup (page 34)

Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup (page 43)

Each activity includes:

what you will need •

content •

time needed •

learning objectives •

suggested session plan •

handouts •

evaluation tools •

EVALUATION OF ACTIVITIES

The manual includes evaluation tools to help playgroup staff evaluate the nutrition activities conducted. These evaluation tools are identifi ed by throughout the manual and include:

An activity review sheet for staff to consider how the activity went and identify any future actions. •

A sample activity review sheet to show you how to use the activity review sheet. •

A record of nutrition activities at playgroup sheet to record all nutrition activities conducted. •

These tools can be photocopied for staff to use for each of their playgroups.

TIPS FOR RUNNING HEALTHY EATING ACTIVITIES

The activities have been developed so that they can be delivered as a series or stand-alone. Each of theactivities can be delivered in 20 minute sessions. This fl exible structure enables playgroup leaders to deliver the activities in a way that can best fi t into the operation of the playgroup.

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Activity 1: What You Will Need

RESOURCES

❒ Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children Suggested Session Outline (page 21)

❒ The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating A3 poster (to order further copies see Section 5 Food and Nutrition Resources page 105)

❒ Food and drink packaging, food models and/or pictures

❒ Facilitator’s Guide to The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (page 26)

❒ Food Packaging and Food Model Record Sheet (page 29)

❒ Butcher’s paper and markers

HANDOUTS

❒ The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating pamphlet (to order further copies see Section 5 Food and Nutrition Resources page 105)

❒ Fact Sheet #2 Reading Food Labels (page 79)

❒ Fact Sheet #3 Using Food Labels to Compare Food Products (page 81)

❒ Easy Snack Ideas for Young Children (page 31)

EVALUATION

❒ Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children Review Sheet (page 33)

❒ Record of Nutrition Activities at Playgroup (page 117)

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Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young ChildrenCONTENT

What is healthy eating? • The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

Healthy snack and drink ideas for young children •

Choose these snack foods sometimes or in small amounts •

Best drinks for young children •

TIME NEEDED1 x 60 minute session or 3 x 20 minute sessions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR PARTICIPANTS1. Understand why healthy snacks are important for young children.

2. Identify food and drinks in each of the fi ve food groups of The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

3. Identify food and drinks in the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment ofThe Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

4. Identify appropriate healthy snack and drink choices for young children.

5. Identify what are the best drinks for young children.

SUGGESTED SESSION PLAN

SUGGESTED TIME OUTLINE

5 minutes Session One: What is Healthy Eating? (20 minutes)

Explain: Today we will be looking at healthy snacks and drinks for young children. Specifi cally, we will be looking at the fi ve food groups as outlined in The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating to assist us to identify what are healthy snacks and drinks for young children.

Ask: Why do you think healthy snacks are important for young children?

Discuss: The importance of healthy snacks for young children.

Explain:

Young children have small tummies and can not get all the nutrition they need •from main meals alone.

Snacks can make a signifi cant contribution to a young child’s nutritional intake. •

It is important that we provide a variety of nutritious snacks between meals to •help young children grow, learn and play.

As a guide, young children need to have three main meals and two to three •healthy snacks per day.

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15 minutes What is healthy eating? The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

Display: The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating A3 Poster.

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, Commonwealth Copyright 1998 is reproduced with permission of the Australian Government Department.of Health and Ageing, 2007.

*NSW Health and the Department of Community Services recommends that all Children’s Services avoid all nuts or nut products (page 111).

Explain:

This guide represents the most up to date recommendations for the general •population of Australia on healthy eating.

The aim of the guide is to encourage Australians to eat a variety of foods from •each of the fi ve food groups everyday.

It is shaped like a pie or a plate and each segment of the plate represents one of •the fi ve food groups.

Hand out: The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating pamphlet.

Ask: What are the fi ve food groups?

Discuss: The fi ve food groups.

Explain:

The food groups include: • breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles; vegetables and legumes; fruit; milk, yoghurt, cheese; meat, fi sh, poultry, eggs, nuts* and legumes.

The size of each segment of the guide represents the proportion of that food group •that is recommended for a healthy diet.

The segment on the poster which is not included in the pie or plate is called •choose these sometimes or in small amounts and refers to those foods that are regarded as extra foods and drinks. These foods do not provide essential nutrients that the body needs and some contain too much fat, salt and sugar. However, these foods and drinks can contribute to the overall enjoyment of eating as part of a healthy eating pattern.

The guidelines also encourage Australians to • drink plenty of water as water is the best drink for good health.

Explain:

Next session we will look at the types of foods in each food group and discuss •healthy snack ideas.

Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children

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20 minutes Session Two: Healthy Snacks and Drink Ideas for Young Children (20 minutes)

Hand out: Food packaging, food models or pictures to each participant.

Ask: Participants as individuals or as pairs to place food packaging, food models or pictures on to The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating A3 Poster on the food group where they think it may belong. For example, if you have a packet of pasta you would place it onto the breads and cereals segment of the guide.

Note: Some foods do not fi t neatly into one food group but may include foods from different food groups e.g. mini pizza.

Ask: What kinds of foods have been placed in the breads and cereals segment of the plate? What benefi t do they provide to young children?

Discuss: The kinds of foods in the breads and cereals segment of the guide and the benefi ts these foods provide to young children.

Refer to: Facilitator’s Guide to The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating: Food and Nutrients (page 26).

Ask: Are there any foods that they think may not belong in the breads and cereals segment of the guide?

Discuss: Identify and discuss these foods and/or drinks and place in the correct food group or segment of the guide.

Ask: What are some practical ideas for serving breads and cereals to young children as a snack?

Write: Practical ideas for serving breads and cereals to young children as a snack on butcher’s paper.

Refer to: Facilitator’s Guide to The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating:Healthy Snack and Drink Ideas (page 27).

Continue: To address each food group in this way until all the food groups in the guide have been covered including vegetables, legumes; fruit; milk, yoghurt, cheese; meat, fi sh, poultry, eggs, nuts* and legumes.

Explain: Next session we will look at foods in the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment of the guide and discuss what are the best drinks for young children.



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10 minutes Session Three: Sometimes Foods and Best Drinks for Young Children (20 minutes)

Explain: The segment on the poster which is not included in the pie or plate is called choose these sometimes or in small amounts.

Ask: What kinds of foods are included in the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment of The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating?

Discuss: The food and drinks in this segment of the guide.

Explain:

Sticky snack foods like fruit bars, fruit straps and lollies may cause tooth decay •in young children.

Snack foods such as cream fi lled and chocolate coated biscuits, yoghurt or •chocolate coated chewy muesli bars are high in fat and sugar.

Snack foods such as crisps, chips and savoury biscuits are high in fat and salt. •

Read food labels to choose the healthier option for processed foods such as •muesli bars and instant noodles but remember some of the healthiest foods are those which may be unlabelled like fresh fruit, vegetables, beans, fresh meatand fi sh.

Hand out: Fact Sheet #2 Reading Food Labels (page 79) and Fact Sheet #3 Using Food Labels to Compare Food Products (page 81).

8 minutes Best drinks for young children

Ask: What do you think are the best drinks for young children?

Discuss: Best drinks for young children.

Explain:

Water and plain milk are the best drinks for young children. •

Water is cheap, freely available and has no sugar, artifi cal colourings or fl avourings. •Tap water with fl uoride also helps protect against tooth decay.

Full fat milk can be introduced as a drink from 12 months of age. Serve in a cup. •

Full fat milk and dairy products are recommended for children under two years of •age as they need the energy from full fat products.

Reduced fat milk (not skim milk) and dairy products are recommended for •children between two and fi ve years of age.

Children aged one to fi ve years need the equivalent of 600mL of milk or other •dairy foods each day (200mL milk = 1 slice of cheese = 1 tub of yoghurt). If children are drinking more than 600mL of milk each day, they may be ‘fi lling up’ on milk. This could affect their intake of other food and nutrients.

Too much fruit juice can cause tooth decay, reduced appetite and lead to •diarrhoea in young children. cont’d over


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cont’d

If you offer fruit juice dilute it 50:50 with water and limit to one cup per day. •Always serve in a cup.

Cordial and soft drinks are often high in sugar, colourings, fl avourings and •caffeine. Choose these drinks sometimes (not everyday) and in small amounts. Always serve in a cup.

2 minutes Conclusion

Explain: You all have come up with some great snack and drink ideas for young children which are practical and healthy. Well done.

Hand out: Easy Snack Ideas for Young Children (page 31).

Explain: The Easy Snack Ideas for Young Children hand out gives you some simple snack ideas which you might like to try at home.

EVALUATION

For your records, after Activity 1 has been conducted, complete:

Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children - Review Sheet (page 33). For an example of •how to complete the review sheet refer to the Sample Review Sheet (page 32).

Record of Nutrition Activities at Playgroup (page 117). •


FOOD AND NUTRIENTSFOOD GROUP FOOD AND NUTRIENT INFORMATION

Vegetables, legumes Vegetables are available in a variety of colours and forms including fresh, raw, cooked, •canned and frozen.

Vegetables are a good source of carbohydrate and dietary fi bre and contain many •vitamins and minerals making them essential for good health.

Legumes include baked beans, kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas and split peas. •

Legumes are a good source of carbohydrate, protein, dietary fi bre and many vitamins •and minerals including iron.

Fruit Fruit is available in a variety of forms including fresh, frozen, canned and dried. •

Fruit is a good source of carbohydrate, vitamins A and C, minerals and dietary fi bre. •

Milk, yoghurt, cheese Milk, yoghurt, cheese, custard and soy drinks (with added calcium). •

Milk and dairy products are high in calcium and protein and are essential for bone and •teeth development.

Reduced fat milk and dairy products are not recommended for children under two years. •

Lean meat, fi sh, poultry, eggs, nuts*, legumes

Red meats such as beef, lamb, veal and kangaroo are a good source of protein and are •high in iron which is important for a child’s growth and development.

Moderate sources of iron include pork, chicken, turkey, fi sh and eggs. •

Legumes refer to food group • Vegetables, Legumes.

Bread, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles

Pasta, noodles, bread, breakfast cereals and all grains such as wheat, oats, rice, barley, •millet and corn.

Breads and cereals are a good source of carbohydrate and dietary fi bre. •

Choose wholegrain varieties such as wholegrain breads, wholegrain breakfast cereals and •brown rice as they provide more vitamins, minerals, nutrients and fi bre than refi ned grains.

Choose these sometimes or in small amounts

These foods and drinks are not included in the pie or plate as they offer little •nutritional value and are often high in energy, fat, sugar and/or salt. However, they can add enjoyment to our diet so choose these foods sometimes and in small amounts such as: soft drinks, cordials, fruit straps, chocolate, lollies, sweet biscuits, high fat savoury biscuits, donuts, pies and sausage rolls, fatty processed meats, chips and crisps.

Facilitator,s Guide TO THE AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING

Milk, YoghurtCheese

VegetablesLegumes

Fruit

Lean Meat, Fish, PoultryEggs, Nuts*, Legumes

Bread, CerealsRice, Pasta, Noodles


DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

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DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Facilitator,s Guide TO THE AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING

HEALTHY SNACK AND DRINK IDEASFOOD GROUP HEALTHY SNACK AND DRINK IDEAS

Vegetables, legumes vegetable sticks with a dip such as hummos, eggplant or yoghurt •

vegetable soup such as minestrone, pumpkin or potato and leek •

mini vegetable quiche or vegetable slice •

savoury muffi ns or pikelets such as carrot and zucchini •

corn on the cob or creamed corn •

baked beans •

salad •

offer soft, cooked or grated vegetables to younger children as hard vegetables like •carrot can be a choking hazard

Fruit fresh fruit in season can be served whole, sliced, cut in half, cubed or in wedges •

try freezing banana, strawberries or orange quarters •

choose canned fruit or fruit cups in natural juice •

try a small handful of dried fruit such as dried apricots, sultanas or apples •

offer soft, cooked or grated fruit to younger children as hard fruit like apple can be a •choking hazard

Milk, yoghurt, cheese plain milk or fruit smoothies •

fresh or frozen plain, fl avoured or fruit yoghurts •

cheese sandwiches •

cheese cubes, sticks or slices •

creamed rice or rice puddings •

reduced fat milk (not skim milk) and dairy products can be offered to children •between the ages of two and fi ve

Lean meat, fi sh, poultry, eggs and legumes

lean meats e.g. chicken, roast beef, ham or turkey on a sandwich with salad •

canned fi sh such as salmon or tuna •

baked beans •

boiled or scrambled eggs •

tofu •

Bread, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles

Choose wholegrain, wholemeal and high fi bre varieties such as:

raisin bread or fruit loaf •

fresh or toasted sandwiches •

plain, vegetable or fruit based pikelets, scones or muffi ns •

wholegrain crackers and crispbreads such as wholemeal, wholegrain and •rye crackers

rice crackers, rice cakes or corn thins •

wholegrain breakfast cereal such as wheat breakfast biscuits •

English muffi ns and crumpets •

pasta, including canned spaghetti •

noodles (not the fried variety) •

rice •

NSW Health and the Department of Community Services recommends that all Children’s Services avoid all nuts or nut products (page 111).

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Food Packaging and Food Model Record Sheet

TIPS ON COLLECTING AND/OR PURCHASING FOOD AND DRINK PACKAGING AND/OR FOOD MODELS

Step 1: Identify foods and drinks that need to be collected or purchased

Look at the foods and drinks in each of the food groups of • The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating A3 Poster.

Observe what foods and drinks parents and carers bring to playgroup. •

Step 2: Collect and/or purchase food and drink packaging, food models and/or pictures

Ask staff from your service to collect and drop off clean and empty food packaging. •

Ask parents and carers to collect clean and empty food packaging and bring to playgroup. •

Purchase packaged foods and drinks. •

Purchase food models such as plastic vegetables and fruit from toy stores or educational children’s •stores/companies on-line.

Cut out pictures of food and drinks from magazines and catalogues. •

Step 3: Prepare food and drink packaging, food models and/or pictures for the activity

Photocopy and use the following: Food Packaging and Food Model Record Sheet (page 29) • to record what food and drink packaging and/or pictures you have collected.

Ensure there are a variety of food and drink packages, food models and/or pictures collected from the •fi ve food groups and from the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment of The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

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FOOD GROUP FOOD PACKS OR FOOD MODELS

Breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles

Breakfast cereals

Bread

Crispbread and crackers

Pasta, noodles and rice

Other cereals

Vegetables and legumes

Fresh, frozen, canned and dried

Fruit

Fresh, frozen, canned and dried

Milk, yoghurt, cheese

Milk

Yoghurt

Cheese


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FOOD GROUP FOOD PACKS OR FOOD MODELS

Meat, fi sh, poultry, eggsand legumes

Red meat

Poultry

Eggs

Legumes

Choose these sometimes or in small amounts

Muesli bars

Dried fruit bars and fruit straps

Crisp chips

Biscuits and cakes

Chocolate bar

Confectionery/lollies

Dairy dessert

Soft drink and cordial

Fruit drink

Other


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Sample Acitivity 1: Sample Review SheetACTIVITY 1: HEALTHY SNACKS AND DRINKS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

At the end of Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children, make time to discuss the activity and look at whether your objectives have been met. Record key ideas that have come out of the session (from parents, carers or staff) and agree on future actions.

ACTIVITY 1: OBJECTIVESDID PARENTS AND CARERS:

DO YOU THINK THE OBJECTIVE WAS MET? (YES / NO)

COMMENTS

Understand why healthy snacks are important for young children?

YES

Identify food and drinks in each of the fi ve food groups as represented in The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating?

YES

Identify food and drinks in the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment as represented in The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating?

YES We discussed why chocolate coated muesli bars belongs to the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment rather than the breads and cereals segment.

Identify appropriate healthy snack and drink choices for young children?

YES Lots of healthy ideas provided by the group.

Identify what are the best drinks for young children?

YES All parents agreed that water and milk would be the healthy drink options but a small number said that their child had fruit juice and/or cordial on most days of the week.

RECORD BELOW:

Key ideas from discussion:

Parents suggested freezing fruits such as banana, pineapple rings and strawberries in the hot weather to make healthy snacks.

Future actions for playgroup team:

To use the display cards in Section 3 Food and Drink Display Cards (page 54) to provide comparisons of sometimes foods and healthier options.

Make space on the display board in the next two weeks so that the information is in a place for everyone to see and for the group to discuss.

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ACTIVITY 1: HEALTHY SNACKS AND DRINKS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Playgroup Name: Date:

At the end of Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children, make time to discuss the activity and look at whether your objectives have been met. Record key ideas that have come out of the session (from parents, carers or staff) and agree on future actions.

Refer to the Sample Review Sheet (page 32) to assist you complete the table below.



COMMENTS

Understand why healthy snacks are important for young children?

Identify food and drinks in each of the fi ve food groups as represented in The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating?

Identify food and drinks in the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment as represented in The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating?

Identify appropriate healthy snack and drink choices for young children?

Identify what are the best drinks for young children?

RECORD BELOW:


Future actions for playgroup:

Activity 1: Review SheetPlease Photocopy

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CONTENTBenefi ts of having healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup •

Checklist for planning healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup •

Examples of healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup •

TIME NEEDED1 x 40 minute session or 2 x 20 minute sessions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR PARTICIPANTS1. Identify the benefi ts of having healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup.

2. Understand the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup.

3. Identify two examples of a healthy snack and drink which meet the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup.

SUGGESTED SESSION PLANSUGGESTED TIME OUTLINE

5 minutes Session One: Planning a Healthy Snack and Drink at Playgroup (20 minutes)

Ask: What do you think are the benefi ts of having healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup?

Discuss: Benefi ts of having healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup.

Explain:

Young children need a variety of nutritious snacks everyday to help them grow, •learn and play. By having healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup we encourage healthy eating habits.

Playgroup provides an opportunity for staff, parents and carers to role model •healthy snacks and drinks to young children.

Playgroup provides an opportunity to try new foods. For example, young children •may be reluctant to try new foods and may need to taste a food 5 - 15 times before they accept it.

Playgroup provides an opportunity to infl uence young children’s food preferences •including that of peer group infl uence (i.e. the infl uence of other young children). For example, research has found that children as young as two years old may learn many of their food preferences from other children.

Playgroup provides an opportunity to create a relaxed and social mealtime •environment where children can sit with their parents or carers and eat a healthy snack together.

Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks

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15 minutes Checklist for planning healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup

Explain:

We have already identifi ed the importance of providing young children with a •variety of nutritious snacks everday to help them grow, learn and play. It is important that snacks are healthy and include foods such as breads and cereals, fruit, vegetables and dairy products.

Water is the best drink to quench thirst. Most children enjoy drinking water if they •get into the habit of drinking it from an early age.

Refer to: Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup A3 Poster

Explain:

This poster titled • Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup has been developed to help playgroup staff and the parents and carers of young children attending playgroup to plan a nutritious snack and drink. The checklist is based on The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

Hand out: Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup A4 handout (page 40).

Refer to: The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating A3 Poster (See Activity 1).

Ask: Can you see any similarities between the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup and The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating?

Discuss: The similarities between the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup and The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

Explain:

The • Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup recommends providing food from each food group of The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. For example, a dairy or high calcium food on the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup is from the milk, cheese and yoghurt food group of The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. A cereal based food on the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup is from the breads, cereals, rice, pasta and noodles food group of The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.


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Refer to: Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup A3 Poster

Explain:

When planning our snacks and drinks at playgroup we need to make sure they •meet the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup. This means that our snack needs to contain at least:

Food or drink Example

A dairy or a high calcium food plain milk •

hard and soft cheeses •

yoghurt and custard •

milk based dessert e.g. creamed rice •

A cereal based food Choose wholemeal and wholegrain:

breakfast cereal e.g. wheat •breakfast biscuits

bread (all varieties including fruit bread) •

cracker biscuits (plain, unsalted crackers) •

rice cakes or corn cakes •

fruit bun, scones, pikelets, muffi ns, •and crumpets

A fruit or vegetable fresh, canned (in natural juice), frozen or •dried fruit

vegetables include raw or cooked (fresh, •canned or frozen)

In addition, for an excellent menu, include a good or moderate source of iron

good sources include beef, lamb or veal •

moderate sources include pork, ham, fi sh, •egg, chicken, legumes (e.g. baked beans), dried fruit and wholemeal products (e.g. bread, crackers, fl our and wheat breakfast biscuits)

A drink choose water or milk •

avoid fruit juice, cordial, soft drinks and •sports drinks

Explain: Next session we will decide on some examples of healthy snacks and drinks that we could have here at playgroup.


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20 minutes Session Two: Examples of a Healthy Snack and Drink at Playgroup (20 minutes)

Explain: The following two examples demonstrate how simple it can be to have a healthy snack and drink at playgroup which meets the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup.

Hint: Write examples on butcher’s paper before you commence activity.

Example 1 Checklist

Wholemeal crackers with cheese

Dried apricots

Glass of water

❒ A dairy or a high calcium food (cheese)

❒ A cereal based food (wholemeal crackers)

❒ A fruit or a vegetable (dried apricots)

❒ A good or moderate source of iron (wholemeal crackers and dried apricots)

❒ A drink (a glass of water)

Example 2 Checklist

Pikelets with sliced banana

Glass of milk with Milo†

❒ A dairy or a high calcium food (glass of milk)

❒ A cereal based food (pikelets)

❒ A fruit or a vegetable (sliced banana)

❒ A good or moderate source of iron (wholemeal pikelets or Milo/Ovaltine†)

❒ A drink (a glass of milk with Milo/Ovaltine†)

Ask: As a group can we come up with two healthy snack and drink ideas using the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup that would suit our playgroup?

Write: Each idea on butcher’s paper and refer to the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup to facilitate discussion and ensure examples meet the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup.

† Milo and Ovaltine contain added iron & can be included on your menu as a moderate source of iron.


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A dairy or a high calcium food?

A cereal-based food?

A fruit or vegetable?

In addition, for an excellent menu have you included a good or moderate source of iron?

A drink?

plain milk or calcium fortified soy milkhard and soft cheesesyoghurt and custardmilk-based dessert such as creamed rice and milk puddings

choose wholemeal and wholegrain products where possiblebreakfast cereal e.g. wheat breakfast biscuitsbread (all varieties including fruit bread)cracker biscuits (plain, unsalted crackers)rice cakesfruit buns, scones, pikelets, muffins and crumpets

fruit includes fresh, canned (in natural juice), frozen or dried but NOT juicevegetables include raw or cooked (fresh, canned or frozen)

good sources of iron include beef, lamb or vealmoderate sources of iron include pork, ham, fish, egg, chicken, legumes (e.g. baked beans), dried fruit and wholemeal products (e.g. bread, crackers, flour, wheat breakfast biscuits)

choose water or milkavoid fruit juice, cordial, soft drinks and sports drinks

Tick Food / Drink Example

Note: Full fat milk and dairy products are recommended for children under two years of age.Reduced fat milk (not skim milk) and dairy products are recommended for children between two and five years of age.

Avoid choking: Avoid hard foods that may increase the risk of choking such as raw carrots, celery or apple. Cook or grate hard fruit or vegetables.

Adapted with permission from Nutrition Ready to Go at Out of School Hours Services (2003), Network of Community Activities.

Does your snack at playgroup contain at least:

ChecklistFOR PLANNING HEALTHY SNACKS AND DRINKS AT PLAYGROUP

The following Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup has been developed to help playgroup staff and the parents and carers of young children attending playgroup to plan a nutritious snack and drink and encourage healthy food at playgroup. The checklist is based on The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

Photocopy for Parents...

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Activity 2: Sample Review SheetACTIVITY 2: PLANNING HEALTHY SNACKS AND DRINKS

At the end of Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks make time to discuss the activity and look at whether your objectives have been met. Record key ideas that have come out of the session (from parents, carers or staff) and agree on future actions.



COMMENTS

Identify the benefi ts of having healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup?

YES

Understand the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup?

YES Parents didn’t realise how easy it would be to meet each point of the Checklist.

Identify two examples of a healthy snack and drink which meets the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup?

(If more than two examples are provided they should also be noted).

YES Two snack and drink examples:

wholemeal crackers with cheese, •carrot sticks with hummos and a glass of water

pikelets with sliced banana •and a glass of milk with Milo or Ovaltine

RECORD BELOW:

Key ideas from discussion: Parents and carers suggested that they could bring in the fruit each week and that the playgroup provide all other foods.

Use a roster to assist parents and carers to remember when it was their turn to bring something to the group.


To transfer all of the healthy snack ideas that meet the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup generated by the parents and carers over the next two weeks onto the Menu Planning Template (page 11) and put into practice fi rst week of term two.

Develop a morning tea roster for parents and carers to show who is responsible for bringing food on what date.

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ACTIVITY 2: PLANNING HEALTHY SNACKS AND DRINKS


At the end of Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks, make some time as a team to discuss the activity and look at whether your objectives have been met. Record key ideas that have come out of the session (from parents, carers or staff) and agree on future actions.

Refer to the sample review sheet (page 41) to assist you complete the table below.



COMMENTS

Identify the benefi ts of having healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup?

Understand the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup?

Identify two morning/afternoon teas that provide a healthy snack and drink and meet the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup?

(If more than two examples are provided they should also be noted).

Two snack and drink examples:

RECORD BELOW:




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Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup

CONTENTBenefi ts of having guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup •

Developing guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup •

TIME NEEDED 1 x 40 minute session or 2 x 20 minute sessions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR PARTICIPANTS1. Identify the benefi ts of having guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup.

2. Provide feedback on the sample guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup.

SUGGESTED SESSION PLAN


5 minutes

Session One: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup (20 minutes)

Benefi ts of having guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup

Explain: Young children need a variety of nutritious snacks everyday to help them grow, learn and play. Having a healthy snack at playgroup is an ideal way to promote healthy eating to our children as they get to experience and enjoy healthy foods with other children in a social and relaxed eating environment.

Today we will be looking at developing our own written guidelines on healthy eating at playgroup. Some of the benefi ts of having written guidelines on healthy eating at playgroup include:

Assisting us as a playgroup to identify what types of foods and drinks will be •provided at playgroup and what types of foods and drinks will not be provided at playgroup.

Assisting us as a playgroup to identify how food and drinks will be served and •eaten at playgroup. For example, children will sit down and eat morning tea and tongs will be used to serve food.

15 minutes Sample guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup

Hand out: Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup A4 handout (page 47).

Explain: The Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup address three key areas we need to consider when developing our own guidelines including:

1. Healthy snack and drink choices

2. The eating environment

3. Food safety and hygiene

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Read: The Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup A4 handout

Explain: Next week we will discuss each key area of the guidelines and decide what we want to include in our playgroup’s guidelines.

15 minutes

Session Two: Developing Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup (20 minutes)

Explain: The purpose of this session is to make sure everyone has a say in what will be included in our playgroup’s healthy eating guidelines so they refl ect our playgroup’s needs.

Handout: Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup A4 handout (page 47).

Explain: Last session we looked at the Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup. We will use these to help us develop guidelines for our playgroup. We will divide into three groups to look at each section of the sample guidelines.

Ask: Divide into three groups.

Handout: Worksheets, pens and any supporting material or information that supports sample guidelines to each group.

Group 1 Worksheet 1: Food and Drink (page 48)

Group 2 Worksheet 2: The Eating Environment (page 49)

Group 3 Worksheet 3: Food Safety (page 50)

Explain: Worksheet instructions

1. Please go through each guideline with your group. You may want to consider:

what your playgroup is doing already that is consistent with each guideline •

what practices are not consistent and ideas for changing any of these practices •

2. Place a tick in the Yes column box next to the guidelines you support.

3. Place a tick in the No column box next to the guidelines you do not support.

Ask: Please spend 10 - 15 minutes looking at your group’s allocated section of the sample guidelines and complete the worksheet provided. Please hand your worksheets in when you have completed them.

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5 minutes Conclusion

Ask: Did completing the worksheet bring up any issues you would like to discuss with the rest of the group?

Explain: Thank you for your comments and feedback. These will be collated by a staff member or volunteer who will modify the sample guidelines based on your comments and feedback. We will then have our playgroup’s healthy eating guidelines available for you to make any fi nal comments and begin to put our guidelines into practice!

EVALUATION

For your records, after Activity 3 has been conducted, complete:

Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup Review Sheet (page 53). For an example of how •to complete the review sheet refer to the Sample Review Sheet (page 52).

Record of Nutrition Activities at Playgroup (page 117). •

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Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at PlaygroupThe following are sample guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup. It is recommended that individual playgroups adapt these sample guidelines in consultation with staff, parents and carers so that it refl ects your playgroup’s specifi c needs.

AIMThe • ______________________________________________________________ (insert name of playgroup here) aims to encourage healthy eating habits and promote safe and hygienic food practices to young children and their families.

FOOD AND DRINK A shared morning tea will be planned using the • Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup.

Parents, carers and staff will receive information outlining both suitable and unsuitable food and drink to bring •to playgroup.

Drinking water will be available at all times for children, parents, carers and staff. •

Children, parents, carers and staff will be involved in decisions about the food and drink provided at playgroup. •

Foods from different cultures will be encouraged, especially cultures represented at playgroup and within the •local community.

If children, parents, carers and staff have special dietary needs, e.g. cultural requirements or food allergies, •parents, carers and staff will discuss and plan how best to meet these needs.

THE EATING ENVIRONMENTMorning tea will be a social event where children, parents, carers and staff will sit together, relax and enjoy food. •

Children and their parents and carers will be encouraged to assist with planning, preparing and serving food •and drink.

Parents, carers and staff will be encouraged to talk positively about food and role model healthy eating habits •to children.

Playgroup will provide nutrition information to parents and carers. This can be done using posters, fact sheets, •newsletters, cooking demonstrations, food displays and healthy eating activities.

Playgroup will provide a relaxed, comfortable and supportive environment for mothers who are breastfeeding. •

FOOD SAFETYChildren, parents, carers and staff will not share plates, cutlery or cups. •

Children, parents, carers and staff will wash their hands (using warm water and soap to wash hands and use a •disposable towel to dry hands) before preparing, serving or eating food.

Gloves will be worn and/or tongs will be used when serving food. •

Parents, carers and staff will be encouraged to keep food cool while transporting it to playgroup. •

All perishable foods will be stored in a refrigerator. The refrigerator will be at a temperature of less than •fi ve degrees celsius.

Expressed breastmilk or infant formula will be warmed in warm water, not a microwave. •

Hot drinks will be prepared, served and consumed out of reach from children. •

Playgroup will provide food safety and hygiene information to parents, carers and staff. •

Signed: _________________________________________Date: _________________ Date to be reviewed: ______________

Photocopy for Parents...

48page

Worksheet 1: Food and DrinkINSTRUCTIONS

The following is the food and drink section of the Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup.



what practices are not consistent and ideas to changing any of these practices •



FOOD AND DRINK YES NO

A shared morning tea will be planned using the Checklist for Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks at Playgroup.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Parents, carers and staff will receive information outlining both suitable and unsuitable food and drink to bring to playgroup.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Drinking water will be available at all times for children, parents, carers and staff.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Children, parents, carers and staff will be involved in decisions about the food and drink provided at playgroup.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Foods from different cultures will be encouraged, especially those represented at playgroup and within the local community.

Comments:

❒ ❒

If children, parents, carers and staff have special dietary needs e.g. cultural requirements or food allergies, parents, carers and staff will discuss and plan how best to meet these needs.

Comments:

❒ ❒

49page

Worksheet 2: The Eating EnvironmentINSTRUCTIONS

The following is the eating environment section of the Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup.






THE EATING ENVIRONMENT YES NO

Morning tea will be a social event where children, parents, carers and staff will sit together, relax and enjoy food.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Children and their parents and carers will be encouraged to assist with planning, preparing and serving food and drink.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Parents, carers and staff will be encouraged to talk positively about food and role model healthy eating habits to children.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Playgroup will provide nutrition information to parents and carers. This can be done using posters, fact sheets and newsletters.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Playgroup will provide a relaxed, comfortable and supportive environment for mothers who are breastfeeding.

Comments:

❒ ❒

50page

Worksheet 3: Food SafetyINSTRUCTIONS

The following is the food safety section of the Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup.






FOOD SAFETY YES NO

Children, parents, carers and staff will not share plates, cutlery or cups.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Children, parents, carers and staff will wash their hands (using warm water and soap to wash hands and use a disposable towel to dry hands) before preparing, serving or eating food.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Gloves will be worn and/or tongs will be used when serving food.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Parents, carers and staff will be encouraged to keep food cool while transporting it to playgroup.

Comments:

❒ ❒

All perishable foods will be stored in a refrigerator. The refrigerator will be at a temperature of less than 5°C.

Comments:

❒ ❒

51page

Worksheet 3: Food Safety continued

FOOD SAFETY YES NO

Expressed breastmilk or infant formula will be warmed in warm water, not a microwave.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Hot drinks will be prepared, served and consumed out of reach from children.

Comments:

❒ ❒

Playgroup will provide food safety and hygiene information to parents, carers and staff.

Comments:

❒ ❒

52page

Activity 3: Sample Review Sheet

ACTIVITY 3: GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHY EATING AT PLAYGROUP

At the end of Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup make time to discuss the activity and look at whether your objectives have been met. Record key ideas that have come out of the session (from parents, carers or staff) and agree on future actions.



COMMENTS

Identify the benefi ts of having guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup?

YES

Provide feedback on sample guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup?

YES Parents recognised that a lot was already being done to meet the sample guidelines. Discussion took place about hot drinks and where they should be consumed by adults.

Develop guidelines for healthy eating at their playgroup?

NO The group agreed that it would be a good idea to have a set of guidelines but ran out of time so agreed to continue with the workshop next week.

RECORD BELOW:


An area is needed for parents and carers to drink hot drinks whilst still being able to see their children.


Hot drink areas to be identifi ed and suggested to parents and carers.

To set aside 40 minutes at next weeks session to develop a set of guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup. The guidelines will take into account comments that have already been made by parents and carers and noted on the butcher’s paper.

53page

ACTIVITY 3: GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHY EATING AT PLAYGROUP


At the end of Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup make time to discuss the activity and look at whether your objectives have been met. Record key ideas that have come out of the session (from parents, carers or staff) and agree on future actions.

Refer to the completed sample review sheet (page 52) to assist you complete the table below.



COMMENTS

Identify the benefi ts of having guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup?

Provide feedback on sample guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup?

Develop guidelines for healthy eating at their playgroup?

RECORD BELOW:




healthy eating activities - seslhd · page 23 suggested time outline 20 minutes session two:...

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