Educator (SK)
Since the children often choose the activities, they are excited to play them.
Educator (SK)
I set up a LEAP area so kids can start doing the activities on their own!
Educator (SK)
Healthy Start has given me so many new ideas and just made my job easier.
Educator (SK)
We’ve started using whole grain flour!
Educator (SK)
We cook with the kids more now, they really enjoy it!
Educator (SK)
Food Flair is great! We have incorporated all of the recipes into our menu!
Educator (SK)
We have been able to offer more healthy food choices!
Saskatchewan Network for Health Services in French and partners launch Healthy Start/Départ Santé
Please select the following links to access the archived Healthy Start/Départ Santé launch: • MEDIA ADVISORY • PRESS RELEASE
Arts & Crafts
At Children’s Choice Child Development Co-op (West location), we’ve create little picture books with the children by cutting out pictures of healthy food from a Canada Food Guide poster together and laminating the pages. The kids like the books because they helped make them, and it gives educators an opportunity to talk about healthy eating. ~Jessica Bates, Director, Children’s Choice West, Prince Albert, SK
Learning to Play Together
Doing the LEAP games not only builds gross motor skills, but it also teaches kids about compromise, sharing and taking turns. Children are learning that you can’t always win, which is an important life lesson! Since we have a mix aged group that ranges from 18 months to school aged, we adapt activities to increase difficulty for older children. We played an activity where kids throw balls in a little bucket. They start close to the bucket and move further away as their skills increase. For younger children we hold the bucket close to the ground and lift it higher up for older children. Activities can last from a few minutes to around 20 minutes depending on children’s interest. ~Jody, Early Childhood Educator, Lake Lenore, SK
A Walk in the Park
We walk a lot around the neighbourhood and in school where the centre is located. Some children are not used to walking, but instead of carrying them we wait for them to join the group if they get upset and refuse to walk. Within a week or so, the kids will get used to walking and not have a problem with it. Kids love to do scavenger hunts and roll down the hill at the park (staff do it with them!) ~Robin, Early Childhood Educator, Saskatoon, SK
Snack Creations
At our centre staff and children make a snack together every 3rd Friday of the month. Since the Healthy Start training we’ve been making Food Flair snacks on those days, like fruit pizza with the preschoolers and apple sauce with the toddlers. ~Jessica Bates, Director, Children’s Choice West, Prince Albert, SK