Blog

April-May 2014

Check out the April-May edition of the Healthy Start Sampler for a feature on one of our Healthy Start centres, to learn how to make the most of your mealtime…and more!

Healthy Start Looking to Recruit New, Enthusiastic Trainers

Healthy Start/Départ Santé is currently seeking individuals to become Healthy Start trainers. Healthy Start will be hosting a train-the-trainer session May 9th and 10th, 2014 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Becoming a trainer offers a rewarding opportunity to support early learning and child care centres, and promote the health and well-being of young children throughout Saskatchewan. • What it means to be a Healthy Start trainer. • Training session details. • Register for the training.

February 2014 Fitness Challenge

Thanks to all the centres that took part in our ‘Fit-ruary’ challenge, where we asked educators to use a calendar to note the healthy things they did during the month of February.  The centres that shared their calendars with us include Kinder Kollege in Kindersley, Dundonald Childcare in Saskatoon, Hope’s Home in Prince Albert, and Vanscoy Early Learning Centre. Responses from directors and educators from these centres were incredible!  Some educators were busy doing Zumba and gym workouts before or after work, while others listed activities like walking, shovelling snow and cleaning the house.  Many educators did stretching and active games with the kids at their centre, which goes to show that participating with the children for 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there can add up to hours of activity over the week.  People also listed healthy food choices like drinking more water, avoiding pop and eating more vegetables and fruit.  Congratulations to everyone who participated!

March 2014

Check out this month’s Sampler to learn about the new guidelines on sugar intake for adults and children, to learn how to cook homemade fruit pizza…and more!

February 2014

Check out this month’s Sampler to read about doing Yoga with children and whether or not we should be “hiding” healthy foods in our children’s favourite meals.

January 2014

Check out this month’s Sampler to read about Big Body Play and Dental Health.

December 2013

Check out this month’s Sampler to read about how much children need to be active and the difference between whole wheat and whole grain.

Healthy Start Presents at the Early Years Conference 2014, Vancouver, BC

Dr. Anne Leis, a member of the Healthy Start/Départ Santé research team, recently had the opportunity to present as a panelist at the Early Years Conference 2014 – Shaping Childhood: Factors that Matter in Vancouver, BC (Jan 31-Feb 1 2014). The panel session on engaging and supporting families for healthy lifestyles more specifically focused on the healthy development of children. Dr. Leis had the opportunity to discuss the Healthy Start strengths-based approach, designed to enhance physical activity and healthy eating among 3 to 5 year olds in early years centres. With ninety attendees from various organizations including Family Support Centres and other NGOs present, Healthy Start was met with much interest and support. Participants were especially interested by Saskatchewan’s project incorporating BC’s homegrown resource set LEAP BCTM. Several requests for further information and copies of our newsletters, as well as requests for Healthy Start training sessions were received. All conference presentations are now available here.

Meeting Our Goals!

Healthy Start/Départ Santé is pleased to announce that we have reached our target goal for the first year of implementation – and with 4 months to spare. Since September 2013, 40 childcare centres and pre-kindergartens have joined the Healthy Start movement in Saskatchewan, mainly in the Saskatoon and Central region. Additionally, 4 centres in the province of New Brunswick are also piloting this project. While we have successfully reached our goal for the year, this does not mean it is time for a vacation here at Healthy Start. In fact, more than ever, things are on the move! We are looking forward to starting our recruitment for year-2 of the Healthy Start rollout where 40 more centres including those in Regina and Southern Saskatchewan will have the opportunity to take part in this health promotion initiative. The rollout of Healthy Start will also continue in New Brunswick, with 4 new centres set to join the movement. Interested Early Learning Centres are encouraged to contact the Healthy Start team for more details on how to join.

Healthy Start Proudly Presents: Our New Website

After months of hard work and dedication from both our web designer and staff, we would like to take this opportunity to announce the launch of the Healthy Start/Départ Santé website. We cannot give enough thanks to our web designer Kevin Pryce (LIME Communications) for all the enthusiasm, commitment, expertise, and professionalism he has so kindly provided along the way. Our new website offers a one-stop-shop including a number of exciting tools and features to further promote healthy eating and physical activity in the early years. Key features include: Access to our evidence-based resources. A comprehensive collection of easily accessible resources and links from related organizations. Quick access to our monthly Newsletters with fun food ideas and ideas of how to incorporate more physical activity throughout the day. Featured stories of how Healthy Start has already been successfully adapted in childcare centres in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Opportunities to connect with Healthy Start staff and share your own success stories with others. Information on how you can get involved with Healthy Start today! You can check out more from LIME Communications’ great portfolio of websites at itslimetime.ca.

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