Healthy Start @ Home
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
Discover the history of Healthy Start and its accomplishments in our Retrospective Report
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
HSDS Retrospective Report: Supporting Early Years Health in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick (2006-2020)
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,
Healthy Start Booster Webinars Series
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
Healthy Start Gala
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
Heathy Start Gala Départ Santé
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
An involved parent can make a difference
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
Un parent impliqué peu faire une différence!
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
Balanced Advice on Trick or Treating
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.
Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients: 1 medium onion, grated or finely chopped 2 tbsp. oil (olive or canola oil or sauté in 2 tbs of water) 1 29-oz. can pumpkin puree 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (substitute water if you don’t have broth) 1/2 c. milk (or substitute ¼ c puréed cannellini beans) 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (a mixture of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and ginger) Directions: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, 5 minutes or until soft. Your child can help with the stirring on low heat. Have your child stir in the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, milk, pumpkin pie spice, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes or until soup simmers. Ladle into bowls and top as desired. Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (freeze leftovers after 3 days). *This soup contains a protein food group and a vegetable food group, serve with whole grain whole wheat bread for a balanced meal. See the 2019 Canada’s Food guide for more info. NOTE: If you are using canned pumpkin, make sure it is pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling (which contains sugar). To make this pumpkin soup from scratch, you will need to make your own pumpkin puree using two small pie pumpkins, if you have squash growing in your garden, feel free to use one of those instead. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, cut off the tops of the pumpkins and then halve them. Your children can use a spoon to scrape out all of the seeds and strings. Brush the inside of the pumpkins with oil and place face down on the baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a fork easily pierces the skin. Remove from the oven, let cool for 10 minutes, then peel away skin and set pumpkin aside. Prepare the soup as described above. When it has simmered, puree the soup with a hand blender. Sources: Phraner, Erin – Behold, the Easiest Pumpkin Soup Recipe Ever Good Housekeeping, Oct 12, 2018, www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/easy/a24873/easiest-ever-pumpkin-soup-recipe/ Easy Pumpkin Soup Minimalist Baker https://minimalistbaker.com/simple-pumpkin-soup/
HS for Families Facilitators Workshop in Saskatoon
The Healthy Start Team offered our first Facilitator Workshop to equip facilitators to deliver Healthy Start for Families sessions. On September 21, 2019 in Saskatoon we welcomed 13 participants from 7 community organizations, both urban and rural who shared similar goals of offering family engagement programming with a health and wellness focus to the families in their communities. Each organization received information on the Healthy Start for Families program model, a Facilitator Guide, a Toolkit of resources, and an Active Play Equipment kit for their sessions. Facilitators experienced demonstrating a session for the group. During the workshop, facilitators also participated in 4 culinary activities and 4 physical activities that could easily be done with families and early years children. Healthy Start for Families is an adapted version of the Healthy Start program targeting parents, guardians and children ages 0-5 years. The program consists of a series of interactive, kid-friendly activities and cooking sessions, offered free of charge at participating early years centres, local family resource centres or community based organizations. Upcoming Facilitator Workshops for Healthy Start for Families are set to take place in southern Saskatchewan during the month of November in Carlyle or Moose Jaw. For more information on Healthy Start for Families: https://healthystartkids.ca/training/healthy-start-for-families/
HSDS Training Now Available Online
PRESS RELEASE – Septembre 16, 2019 – Thanks to a partnership between the Continuing Education of the Université de Moncton, Moncton campus and the Saskatchewan French Health Network (RSFS), the bilingual Healthy Start/Départ Santé (HSDS) training program is now available online. Since its inception in 2012, the HSDS professional development program has trained more than 2,600 early childhood educators to help them integrate healthy eating and physical activity into early childhood settings. Gabrielle Lepage-Lavoie, Manager of the Healthy Start Program, said: “This initiative will make the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating even more accessible to early childhood workers across Canada. We are proud of the quality product that is available and look forward to sharing it with childcare educators and health care professionals working with young children. » Sylvie Desjardins, Professional Development Officer at the Continuing Education, is pleased to see the addition of this new course to their schedule: ” The Continuing Education of the Université de Moncton is proud to partner with the RSFS on this project. I am convinced that making Healthy Start widely available through an interactive and accessible learning platform will make a difference by helping more early childhood professionals access practical tools to promote physical activity and healthy eating, which are essential components for optimal child development. » The development of the online training began in 2017 with the New Brunswick Medical Training Centre, affiliated with the University of Sherbrooke. The University of Moncton’s Learning Technology Group was responsible for technical and pedagogical development of the online platform, in collaboration with the Department of Education Early Childhood Development of New Brunswick. The HSDS training is now integrated to the Department’s introductory online modules for Early Childhood Education. To learn more about Healthy Start online training, visit our online training page: https://healthystartkids.ca/training/healthy-start-online-course/ HSDS was developed by the RSFS – Saskatchewan French Health Network in collaboration with its partners in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick; the program is funded by the Public Health Agency and the Saskatchewan Government – Community Initiatives Fund.