Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum

Developed by the Harvard School of Public Health in collaboration with the YMCA

Part 2: Training TrainersImproving nutrition and physical activity

for children in afterschool program

Copyright 2008 YMCA of the USA. The Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum is jointly copyrighted by President and Fellows of Harvard College and YMCA of the USA.

Training — Part 2ObjectivesReview Food & Fun health messagesDiscuss ways to engage staff, parents, kids, and schools when integrating materials into the current programmingDiscuss methods for ongoing training, coaching, and mentoring of program staffAssess curriculum usage

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum

Part 2: Training Trainers

Elements for Child Care and Child/Youth Programs:

Part 2: Training Trainers

Healthy Messages and Practices

Unit Themes: Fruits and vegetables – Take a Bite! & Mix it up Physical activity – Get Moving & Play Hard Sugar-sweetened drinks – Be Sugar Smart Healthy & unhealthy fats – Go for Good Fat Whole grains – Go for Whole Grains Healthy snacking – Super Snacks Reduce TV viewing – Tune out TV Keep hydrated with water – Be active, stay cool

Activity Options for Children

Part 1: Training Trainers

Arts and crafts

Active games

Group games & activities

Books

Snack time activities

Parent Communication Tools

Email messages Newsletter articles Parent handouts Family handbook

Part 1: Training Trainers

What’s Next?

Part 2: Training Trainers

• How did you introduce site staff to Food and Fun?• Did you use any of the training resources below?• How will site staff use the materials?• How will you continue to train and coach staff?

Training Resources Train the trainer slides Facilitator's Guide Getting Staff on Board Healthy Places Healthy Kids poster Key Messages for Staff About Guide

Where Are the Opportunities?

With staff

With kids

With parents

With outside organizations

Part 2: Training Trainers

ResourcesWeb resources Harvard’s Prevention Research Center (HPRC):

www.hsph.harvard.edu/research/prc/ • Center works with community partners to design, implement and evaluate

programs that improve nutrition and physical activity, and reduce overweight and chronic disease risk among children and youth

The Nutrition Source: www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource • An online nutrition news and resource center

Let’s Move: http://www.letsmove.gov• Michelle Obama’s initiative to provide parents with the support they need to

make healthy family choices, provide healthier school foods, help kids to be more physically active, and make healthy, affordable food available

Alliance for a Healthier Generation: http://www.healthiergeneration.org• A joint venture between the American Heart Association and the Clinton

Foundation with a mission to reduce childhood obesity to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices

Part 2: Training Trainers

ResourcesWeb resources Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media:

http://www.kidshealth.org• Doctor-approved information for families that includes sites for parents,

children, and teenagers and provides a variety of health information, including nutrition and fitness topics. Also has Spanish resources available!

Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition (We Can!): www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/

• Resources for families & communities to help prevent childhood overweight

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources for child care providers:• Healthy Meals Resource System, http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/• Child and Adult Care Food Program, www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/• MyPyramid, www.mypyramid.gov/

Part 2: Training Trainers

Resources

Ways to make local connections Your school food service director could work with you on taste tests,

especially if your after school program is held in a school building. Grocery stores have started providing free tours designed to teach kids

about making nutritious choices. If your program is held within a school, connect with the principal or

teachers. Building solid relationships with school personnel can help you secure resources like gym space or kitchen facilities.

Promatoras are community members who work as health liaisons between the Hispanic/Latino community and health organizations.

Farmers or master gardeners can help teach kids about fruits & veggies. Physical education teachers or fitness instructors could help run a fitness

event or they might allow program to borrow or share equipment.

Part 2: Training Trainers

Planning & Tracking

Consider:How many components are usedIf they seem to appeal to parents and kidsWhich ones are usedHow often are they used

Part 2: Training Trainers

Food & Fun Tools Curriculum Planning & Tracking ToolParent Engagement Planning and Tracking Tool Snack Sense Guide and Calculator

Tracking use of the curriculum components will help assess the usefulness and success of the curriculum

Your Assignment

Continue to train staff on the Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum

Track how programs are using the curriculumIdentify who will be engaged: YMCA, parents,

school system, othersContinue to discuss the successes and

challenges of using the curriculum

Part 2: Training Trainers

Come visit us!

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/research/prc/

www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource