Jean-Pierre Picard
Our Healthy Start Sampler newsletter offers examples of activities and information you will find in our downloadable resources.
In this issue
Tips on Outdoor Play
Active Play: Tricky Tracks in the Snow
Let’s make a Dinosaur Dip
Tips on Nutrition: Trying New Fruits and Vegetables
In November we reached out via survey to childcare centres and home daycares in Saskatchewan that took part in Healthy Start during over past three years. We were happy to learn that 100% of the centres and homes that responded are still using the Healthy Start program today. Thank you to the centres that took the time to fill out our survey, and to all the early years educators who are making a positive difference in the lives of young children. A few highlights from the survey: Healthy Start concepts still used in childcare centres and home daycares healthy eating concepts – 85% increased opportunities for physical activity – 70% lasting menu changes – 50% Respondents also indicated that elements of the Healthy Start program are used regularly in centres and homes daily – 40% a few times a week – 40% a few times a month – 20%”
In this issue: Healthy Start Online Tools: Learning and Connecting During Covid-19 Healthy Start Webinar Series Thank You Healthy Start Coordinators Healthy Start @ Home Video Series Healthy Start for Active Kids Update Suspension of in-person HSDS trainings in Saskatchewan Meet Kristen O’Brien, Healthy Start for Active Kids Coordinator Recipe: Pumpkin dip Simple Outdoor Activities for Fall
Discover our Healthy Start @ Home videos with tips and ideas to help you promote healthy eating and physical activities in your home environment. View the videos
This 52 page report provides a comprehensive look back on HSDS’s nearly 15 year history. Synthesizing the information contained within the initiative’s extensive documentation, as well as the personal accounts of key HSDS organizers, participants and stakeholders, Download the document
This report provides a comprehensive look back on HSDS’s nearly 15 year history. Synthesizing the information contained within the initiative’s extensive documentation, as well as the personal accounts of key HSDS organizers, participants and stakeholders,
These webinars are intended to build your knowledge on active play and healthy eating in the early years. To register to the webinars and receive a participation certificate: https://healthystartkids.ca/training/webinars/ You can also view the webinars videos on our Youtube channel. View the videos
To celebrate the completion of Phase 3 of its Healthy Start/Départ Santé (HSDS) bilingual program, the Réseau Santé en français de la Saskatchewan organized a recognition gala in Saskatoon on February 13, 2020. The event brought together about 45 people who have contributed to the success of this initiative over the years. The Gala was an opportunity to celebrate the progress made since the initiative was first envisioned in 2007. Gabrielle Lepage, who until recently was the manager of HSDS, presented a time line of the program outcomes and successes. Over the years, the program has reached 32,000 people, including children, parents and early childhood workers, in more than 255 child care and family support centers, including 40 in New Brunswick. These achievements were made possible thanks to the concerted efforts of HSDS staff, partners and supporters from the sectors of academia, community, government and early childhood. Thank you to everyone who has been involved with this dynamic program! The gala was also an opportunity to recognize the contribution of the many people who have collaborated in the program since its inception. Certificates of recognition were given to the following people: Roger Gauthier, Réseau Santé en français de la Saskatchewan Gabrielle Lepage, Healthy Start Erica Stevenson, Healthy Start Nathanael Paquin, Active Kids Anne Leis, RSFS and College of Medicine, Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan Linda Martin Nathalie Waddell, Active Kids Sylvie Desjardins, Université de Moncton Cindy Lévesque, New Brunswick Government Mathieu Bélanger, Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick Stéphanie Ward, Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick Nazmi Sari, Department of Economics, University of Saskatchewan Hassan Vatanparast, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan Christine Nisbet, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan Se’era Anstruther, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan Louise Humbert , College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan Nazeem Muhajarine, College of Medicine, Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan Amanda Froehlich Chow, College of Medicine, Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan Rachel Engler-Stringer, College of Medicine, Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan Kavitha Ramachandran, College of Medicine, Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan
On February 13, the Réseau Santé en français de la Saskatchewan will hold a gala to celebrate the collective achievements of the past and current individuals and groups that have contributed to Healthy Start. It will be an occasion to look back and recognize the hard work and innovation that has shaped this unique initiative. We will also look to the future as the program, initiated in 2006, begins a new chapter in 2020. For more information, please contact: Allysha Larsen [email protected] Office: 306-653-7454 Cell: 306-850-6684
On behalf of a parent of two small children Alex (3 ½ years old) and Milie (15 months) and as a health professional, I hold a certificate from the Healthy Start program. As a health professional responsible for clinical teaching in the University of Moncton nursing program, I participate in conferences or professional development courses. In the list of courses offered by the University of Moncton’s vocational training centre, I discovered the Healthy Start program. I decided to do this training on my own time to acquire knowledge, first as a mom who holds her children’s development at heart, but also as a professional to better guide my students during their learning with the children. During this training, I was impressed by the amount of relevant information it conveys. I have therefore done some research to find out how daycare centres can participate in this program. To my great surprise, only two daycare centres in the region of Moncton / Shediac / Cap-Pelé are on the Healthy Start list. So I have transmitted all the relevant information to the owners of my children’s daycare centre. I was surprised to learn that they had never heard of that training program. So I sent a request for information and Gabriel Lepage-Lavoie quickly responded. Thank you for the information and the informal conversation. This program is a great opportunity for daycares to help with the development of children. I highly encourage parents, health professionals and trainers involved in the development of children to take the time to do the training. Being involved with the first year undergraduate nursing program, I intend to bring this information on this training at a university meeting with the recommendation that it gets integrated to its program. Following my comments, staff from my children’s daycare opted to follow the training in person. Monica McGraw Shediac, New-Brunswick
Au nom d’un parent de deux petits cœurs Alex (3ans et demi) et Milie (15mois) ainsi qu’en tant que professionnelle de la santé, je détiens le certificat du programme Départ santé. En tant que professionnelle de la santé chargée d’enseignement clinique en sciences infirmières avec l’Université de Moncton, je suis appelée à participer à des conférences ou des formations de perfectionnement professionnel. Dans la liste des formations offertes par le centre de formation professionnelle de l’Université de Moncton, j’ai découvert celle de Départ santé. Étant une maman qui tient le développement de ses deux enfants à cœur, j’ai donc décidé de faire cette formation sur mon temps personnel afin d’acquérir des connaissances en tant que maman et en tant que professionnelle pour mieux guider mes étudiants lors de leur apprentissage (clinique) avec les enfants. En suivant cette formation, j’ai été impressionnée par la quantité d’informations pertinentes. J’ai donc fait de la recherche pour savoir comment les garderies pourraient faire partie de ce programme. À ma grande surprise, seulement deux garderies dans la région de Moncton/Shediac/Cap-Pelé apparaissent sur la liste de Départ Santé. J’ai donc apporté toute l’information aux propriétaires de la garderie de mes enfants, garderie agréée par le gouvernement. J’ai été surprise d’apprendre que ceux-ci n’avaient jamais entendu parler de cette formation. J’ai donc envoyé une demande d’information et Gabrielle Lepage-Lavoie m’a rapidement contactée. Merci pour l’information et la conversation informelle. Ce programme est une très belle opportunité pour les garderies d’aider avec le développement des enfants. De plus, j’encourage grandement les parents, les professionnels de la santé et les formateurs en lien avec le développement des enfants de prendre le temps de faire cette formation. Étant très impliquée au niveau de la première année au programme du baccalauréat en sciences infirmières, je prévois apporter l’information sur cette formation à une réunion de l’université pour l’intégrer dans son programme. La garderie de mes enfants a opté pour suivre la formation en personne suite à mes commentaires. Monica McGraw Shediac, Nouveau-Brunswick
Many parents worry about their kids consuming too much sugar around Halloween. Parents may try to restrict and avoid Halloween candy to protect their children from eating too much sugar at this time of year. While the intention to reduce sugar is positive, being overly restrictive about Halloween candy may deprive kids not only of enjoyment but also a learning opportunity. Studies have shown that kids who have regular access to treats actually eat less high-sugar, high-fat food. Dietician Ellyn Satter describes it this way, “Children who have regular access to sweets and other forbidden foods eat them moderately. Children who don’t have regular access load up on them when they aren’t even hungry.” Ellyn Satter offers a balanced approach for navigating the Halloween candy stash: When he comes home from trick-or-treating, let him lay out his booty, gloat over it, sort it and eat as much of it as he wants. Let him do the same the next day. Then have him put it away and relegate it to meal-and snack-time: a couple of small pieces at meals for dessert and as much as he wants for snack-time. If he can follow the rules, your child gets to keep control of the stash. Otherwise, you do, on the assumption that as soon as he can manage it, he gets to keep it. Offer milk with the candy, and you have a chance at good nutrition. Satter encourages parents to treat Halloween as a learning opportunity, with the goal of the child being able to manage their own candy stash. In our society where sugar and treats are widely available, learning to self-regulate sugar intake is a healthy skill to have in life. So this Halloween, have fun and help children learn moderation through a balanced approach to candy.
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