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healthy eating activities
Introduction 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
Section 2
2
Healthy Eating Activities
INTRODUCTION
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 identified 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 the
activities can be delivered in 20 minute sessions. This flexible structure enables playgroup leaders to
deliver the activities in a way that can best fit into the operation of the playgroup.
page
19
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)
page
20
Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children
CONTENT
•
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 NEEDED
1 x 60 minute session or 3 x 20 minute sessions
LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR PARTICIPANTS
1. Understand why healthy snacks are important for young children.
2. Identify food and drinks in each of the five food groups of The Australian
Guide to Healthy Eating.
3. Identify food and drinks in the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment of
The 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.
Specifically, we will be looking at the five 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 significant 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.
page
21
Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
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 five food groups everyday.
•
It is shaped like a pie or a plate and each segment of the plate represents one of
the five food groups.
Hand out: The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating pamphlet.
Ask: What are the five food groups?
Discuss: The five food groups.
Explain:
•
The food groups include: breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles; vegetables and
legumes; fruit; milk, yoghurt, cheese; meat, fish, 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.
page
22
Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
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 fit 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 benefit do they provide to young children?
Discuss: The kinds of foods in the breads and cereals segment of the guide and the
benefits 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,
fish, 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.
*NSW Health and the Department of Community Services recommends that all Children’s Services avoid
all nuts or nut products (page 111).
page
23
Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
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 filled 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 meat
and fish.
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, artifical colourings or flavourings.
Tap water with fluoride 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 five years of age.
•
Children aged one to five 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 ‘filling 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
page
24
Activity 1: Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Young Children
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
cont’d
2 minutes
•
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, flavourings and
caffeine. Choose these drinks sometimes (not everyday) and in small amounts.
Always serve in a cup.
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).
page
25
Facilitator,s Guide
TO THE AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING
*NSW Health and
the Department of
Community Services
recommends that all
Children’s Services
avoid all nuts or nut
products (page 111).
Vegetables
Legumes
Fruit
Milk, Yoghurt
Cheese
Bread, Cereals
Rice, Pasta, Noodles
Lean Meat, Fish, Poultry
Eggs, Nuts*, Legumes
FOOD AND NUTRIENTS
FOOD 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 fibre 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 fibre 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 fibre.
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, fish, 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, fish 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 fibre.
• Choose wholegrain varieties such as wholegrain breads, wholegrain breakfast cereals and
brown rice as they provide more vitamins, minerals, nutrients and fibre than
refined 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.
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
page
26
Facilitator,s Guide
TO THE AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING
HEALTHY SNACK AND DRINK IDEAS
FOOD 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 muffins 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, flavoured 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 five
Lean meat, fish, poultry,
eggs and legumes
• lean meats e.g. chicken, roast beef, ham or turkey on a sandwich with salad
• canned fish such as salmon or tuna
• baked beans
• boiled or scrambled eggs
• tofu
Bread, cereals, rice,
pasta, noodles
Choose wholegrain, wholemeal and high fibre varieties such as:
• raisin bread or fruit loaf
• fresh or toasted sandwiches
• plain, vegetable or fruit based pikelets, scones or muffins
• 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 muffins 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).
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
page
27
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
five food groups and from the choose these sometimes or in small amounts segment of The Australian
Guide to Healthy Eating.
page
28
Food Packaging and Food Model Record Sheet
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
page
29
Food Packaging and Food Model Record Sheet
FOOD GROUP
FOOD PACKS OR FOOD MODELS
Meat, fish, poultry, eggs
and 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
page
30
SampleReview Sheet
Acitivity 1: Sample
ACTIVITY 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: OBJECTIVES
DID 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
five 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.
page
32
Please Photocopy
Activity 1: Review Sheet
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.
ACTIVITY 1: OBJECTIVES
DID PARENTS AND CARERS:
DO YOU THINK
THE OBJECTIVE
WAS MET?
(YES / NO)
Understand why healthy snacks are
important for young children?
Identify food and drinks in each of the five
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:
Key ideas from
discussion:
Future actions for
playgroup:
page
33
COMMENTS
Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks
CONTENT
•
Benefits 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 NEEDED
1 x 40 minute session or 2 x 20 minute sessions
LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR PARTICIPANTS
1. Identify the benefits 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 PLAN
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
5 minutes
Session One: Planning a Healthy Snack and Drink at Playgroup (20 minutes)
Ask: What do you think are the benefits of having healthy snacks and drinks
at playgroup?
Discuss: Benefits 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 influence young children’s food preferences
including that of peer group influence (i.e. the influence 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.
page
35
Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
15 minutes
Checklist for planning healthy snacks and drinks at playgroup
Explain:
•
We have already identified 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.
page
36
Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
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
A fruit or vegetable
In addition, for an excellent
menu, include a good or
moderate source of iron
A drink
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, muffins,
and crumpets
•
fresh, canned (in natural juice), frozen or
dried fruit
•
vegetables include raw or cooked (fresh,
canned or frozen)
•
good sources include beef, lamb or veal
•
moderate sources include pork, ham, fish,
egg, chicken, legumes (e.g. baked beans),
dried fruit and wholemeal products (e.g.
bread, crackers, flour and wheat breakfast
biscuits)
•
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.
page
37
Activity 2: Planning Healthy Snacks and Drinks
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
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
❒ A dairy or a high calcium food (cheese)
Dried apricots
❒ A cereal based food (wholemeal crackers)
Glass of water
❒ 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
❒ A dairy or a high calcium food (glass of milk)
Glass of milk with Milo†
❒ 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.
page
38
Checklist
Photocopy for Parents...
FOR 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.
Does your snack at playgroup contain at least:
Tick Food / Drink
Example
A dairy or a high calcium food?
plain milk or calcium fortified soy milk
hard and soft cheeses
yoghurt and custard
milk-based dessert such as creamed rice and milk puddings
A cereal-based food?
choose wholemeal and wholegrain products where possible
breakfast cereal e.g. wheat breakfast biscuits
bread (all varieties including fruit bread)
cracker biscuits (plain, unsalted crackers)
rice cakes
fruit buns, scones, pikelets, muffins and crumpets
A fruit or vegetable?
fruit includes fresh, canned (in natural juice), frozen or dried but NOT juice
vegetables include raw or cooked (fresh, canned or frozen)
In addition, for an excellent
menu have you included a good
or moderate source of iron?
good sources of iron include beef, lamb or veal
moderate 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)
A drink?
choose water or milk
avoid fruit juice, cordial, soft drinks and sports drinks
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.
page
40
Activity 2: Sample Review Sheet
ACTIVITY 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.
ACTIVITY 2: OBJECTIVES
DID PARENTS AND CARERS:
DO YOU THINK
THE OBJECTIVE
WAS MET?
(YES / NO)
COMMENTS
Identify the benefits 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?
YES
Two snack and drink examples:
(If more than two examples are
provided they should also be noted).
•
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.
Future actions for
playgroup:
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 first week of term two.
Develop a morning tea roster for parents and carers to show who is
responsible for bringing food on what date.
page
41
Please Photocopy
Activity 2: Review Sheet
ACTIVITY 2: PLANNING HEALTHY SNACKS AND DRINKS
Playgroup Name:
Date:
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.
DO YOU THINK
THE OBJECTIVE
WAS MET?
(YES / NO)
ACTIVITY 2: OBJECTIVES
DID PARENTS AND CARERS:
COMMENTS
Identify the benefits 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?
Two snack and drink examples:
(If more than two examples are provided
they should also be noted).
RECORD BELOW:
Key ideas from discussion:
Future actions for playgroup:
page
42
Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup
CONTENT
•
Benefits 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 PARTICIPANTS
1. Identify the benefits of having guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup.
2. Provide feedback on the sample guidelines for healthy eating at playgroup.
SUGGESTED SESSION PLAN
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
Session One: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup (20 minutes)
5 minutes
Benefits 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 benefits of having written guidelines on healthy eating at
playgroup include:
15 minutes
•
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.
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
page
44
Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
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.
Session Two: Developing Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup (20 minutes)
15 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 reflect 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.
page
45
Activity 3: Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup
SUGGESTED
TIME
OUTLINE
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 final 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).
page
46
Photocopy for Parents...
Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup
The 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 reflects your playgroup’s
specific needs.
AIM
•
The ______________________________________________________________ (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 ENVIRONMENT
•
Morning 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 SAFETY
•
Children, 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
five 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: ______________
page
47
Worksheet 1: Food and Drink
INSTRUCTIONS
The following is the food and drink section of the Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup.
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 to 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.
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:
page
48
❒
❒
Worksheet 2: The Eating Environment
INSTRUCTIONS
The following is the eating environment section of the Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup.
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 to 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.
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:
page
49
Worksheet 3: Food Safety
INSTRUCTIONS
The following is the food safety section of the Sample Guidelines for Healthy Eating at Playgroup.
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 to 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.
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:
page
50
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:
page
51
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.
ACTIVITY 3: OBJECTIVES
DID PARENTS AND CARERS:
DO YOU THINK
THE OBJECTIVE
WAS MET?
(YES / NO)
COMMENTS
Identify the benefits 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:
Key ideas from
discussion:
An area is needed for parents and carers to drink hot drinks whilst still being
able to see their children.
Future actions for
playgroup:
Hot drink areas to be identified 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.
page
52
Please Photocopy
Activity 3: Review Sheet
ACTIVITY 3: GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHY EATING AT PLAYGROUP
Playgroup Name:
Date:
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.
DO YOU THINK
THE OBJECTIVE
WAS MET?
(YES / NO)
ACTIVITY 3: OBJECTIVES
DID PARENTS AND CARERS:
Identify the benefits 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:
Key ideas from discussion:
Future actions for playgroup:
page
53
COMMENTS