lessons on seven feeding actions for primary and secondary ... · activity 1: welcome to smart and...

Lessons on Seven Feeding Actions

for Primary and Secondary School Students

Alive & Thrive (A&T) is an initiative to improve infant and young child feeding practices by increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding and improving complementary feeding practices. The first two years of life provide a window of opportunity to prevent child deaths and ensure healthy growth and brain development. Alive & Thrive aims to reach more than 16 million children under two years old in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Viet Nam through various delivery models. Learnings are shared widely to inform policies and programs throughout the world. Alive & Thrive is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and managed by FHI 360. Other members of the A&T consortium include BRAC, GMMB, IFPRI, Save the Children, U -‐Davis, and World Vision.

Recommended citation

Alive & Thrive. Lessons on seven feeding actions for primary and secondary school students. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Alive & Thrive, 2011.

Alive& Thrive FHI 360 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009 [email protected] www.aliveandthrive.org

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Introduction The Alive & Thrive initiative promotes 7 Feeding Actions with the Government of Ethiopia’s Health Extension Program. As part of this effort, the Alive & Thrive Ethiopia team developed nine lessons for primary and secondary school students on the feeding actions. Students learn how these actions will improve the health of their young brothers and sisters and other children under 2 years of age in their community and how they and their school can promote them. The nine lessons include interactive presentations, questions and answers, group discussions, role plays, food demonstrations, practice using the child health card and talking about the 7 Feeding Actions with mothers and fathers, and experience sharing. Special recognition is extended to school administrators and teachers for welcoming their school’s participation in the program.

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Overview of the 9 Smart and Strong School Lessons for Students

Topic Notes:

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Smart and Strong School Program

Students will feel that they are part of a movement to improve the lives of young children.

Lesson 2: Our School’s Target

Students will set a reasonable target for Smart and Strong Certificates.

Lesson 3: Discussion of 7 Feeding Actions.

Students will know each of the 7 Feeding Actions.

Lesson 4: Practice Using the Child Nutrition Card.

Students will feel comfortable using the Child Nutrition Card.

Lesson 5: Experience Sharing Students will gain confidence in their ability to help families.

Lesson 6: Special Porridge Demonstration

Students will prepare, taste and feed babies special porridge.

Lesson 7: Talking with Fathers

Students will know about the role fathers should play.

Lesson 8: Experience Sharing for Kebele Leaders, HEWs and the Women’s Army

Students and Kebele leaders will share their success and challenges.

Lesson 9: Celebration of Success

Students, teachers and parents will celebrate the Smart and Strong School.

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Facilitator Note: In Lesson 1 we will do the following 3 Activities:

1. Welcome to Smart and Strong School Program

2. The Objectives of the Smart and Strong School Program

3. How a Family Earns a Smart and Strong Certificate

Lesson 1: Introduction to Smart and Strong School Program

As a result of Lesson 1 students in our school will:

• Know the 7 Feeding Actions. • Understand the goals of the Smart and Strong School Program. • Feel that they are part of a movement to improve the health of young

children in their community. Time: 45 minutes

Materials: Child Nutrition Card

Smart and Strong Child Nutrition Card

Student Health Promoter Badge

Methodology: Interactive presentation, Q&A

Activity 1: Welcome to Smart and Strong School Program • The aim of Smart and Strong School Program is to increase the number

of families with babies less than 2 years who are carrying out the 7 Feeding Actions.

• The time to improve babies’ nutrition starts from the mother’s pregnancy and goes through the first 2 years of the baby’s life. Any damage to

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physical growth or the development of the baby’s brain that occurs during this period due to poor nutrition cannot be corrected.

• The goal of the Smart and Strong School program is to insure that our

younger sisters, brothers and cousins start off their life, smart, healthy and strong.

• Our school will assist families in the community to carry out 7 Feeding

Actions for babies during their first 24 months.

• By carrying out the 9 Lessons in this guide, our school will help families with small babies. We will also become a Smart and Strong School.

Activity 2: The Objectives of the Smart and Strong School Program

The objectives of these lessons are:

1. Students will know the 7 Feeding Actions and will use the child nutrition card.

2. To invite all families in our community who have children less than 2 years to be part of the Smart and Strong School program.

3. Set and reach a reasonable target for the number of Smart and Strong

Certificates families in our community will earn. 4. Gain the support of parents with children from 0 - 24 months in carrying

out the 7 Actions.

By the time we complete the 9 Lessons we will be feeding experts for babies and young children!

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Facilitator Note:

• Ask students Q1 and Q2. Use the answers below to guide the discussion.

• Hand out Child Nutrition Cards to small groups of students.

• Now ask them to follow as you read the 7 Feeding Actions.

• Continue with Q3, Q4 and Q5.

Ask the students: Q1: What are some of the good things that happen when children under 2 years are fed the right foods starting at 6 months?” A1: Listen for responses such as:

o These children will be healthy. o The children will have less illness o They will be smart children, who will learn quickly in school o Active, energetic children

When parents feed their babies and young children correctly during the first 2 years of life, they prepare them to be healthy, smart and strong. Remember • Every mother can exclusively breastfeed her baby for the first 6

months.

• Starting at 6 months, every family needs to feed their baby thick porridge with a Special Foods like eggs or milk or dried meat powder.

Activity 3: How a Family Earns a Smart and Strong Certificate

Q1: What is a Smart and Strong Family? A1: A Smart and Strong Family is one that has carried out 7 Feeding Actions which provide their baby with an excellent start in life.

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Q2: What are the 7 Feeding Actions that parents need to carry out to earn a Smart and Strong Certificate? A2: See how many actions the students know and then using the Child Nutrition Card add the ones they miss. Q3: Let’s talk about the first 2 actions which have to do with breastfeeding. A3. Let’s refer to the Student Q & A Booklet to be sure that we understand why these actions are important. Q4: Do any of you have baby brothers or sisters or cousins who are less than 6 months? Are these babies exclusively breastfeeding? A4: Encourage students to share stories about babies they know who are exclusively breastfeeding.

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Facilitator Note:

• Now show the Smart and Strong Family Certificate to students.

• Hand a few around so that everyone can see it closely.

Facilitator Note: In Lesson 2 we will do the following activities: 1. Our School’s Target.

2. Discussion of the 2 Breastfeeding Actions

Q5: Have any of you seen the Smart and Strong Family Certificate before? A5: If some the students have seen the certificate ask them to say where they saw it and if they know what it means. Q6: How does a family earn this certificate? A6: To earn the certificate, a family with a child under 2 years of age must carry out the 7 Feeding Actions.

Q7: This badge is for Student Nutrition Promoters. How can you earn this badge?

A7. When a Student Nutrition Team helps a family earn a Smart and Strong Certificate, the students also earn a Student Nutrition Badge.

Lesson 2: Our School’s Target

As a result of this lesson students will set a reasonable school target for the number of families that will earn the Smart and Strong Certificate.

Time: 45 minutes


Methodology: Interactive presentation and Q&A

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Facilitator Note:

1. Ask students to think of all their family, friends and neighbors with babies under 2.

2. A reasonable target for your school is to help one family earn a certificate for every 10 students in the school.

3. That means if there are 200 students at the school your target would be to

help 20 families earn certificates.

Activity 1: Our School’s Target

Step 1: Explain to the students: Our school is working towards becoming a Smart and Strong School. To do this we must set and reach a target of helping families earn Smart and Strong Family Certificates.

Step 2: Let’s calculate: We have _____ students in our school. Therefore experience has shown that we should set a target of helping about ________ families earn their Smart and Strong Family Certificate. Step 3: Now let’s form Student Nutrition Teams of 3 students who will work together. Each Student Nutrition Team will visit 1 or 2 families with babies under 2 years old.

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Activity 2: Discussion of the 2 Breastfeeding Actions

Explain: Now we are going to learn about the first 2 actions. They deal with breastfeeding.

Step 1: We are going to read and discuss the first 2 actions on the Child Nutrition Card.

Facilitator Note:

• We suggest the each Student Nutrition Teams be composed of 3 students. This makes it easier for both the students and the families.

• Make a list of each team who wants to be part of the Smart and Strong School Program.

• Each team should have a captain.

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2 Breastfeeding Actions

1. Mothers, begin breastfeeding within one hour of your baby’s birth. Benefit: This will protect your baby from illness, facilitates the expulsion of the placenta and ensures you have sufficient breast milk production.

2. Mothers, Exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first six months (no other liquids or solids, not even water). Benefit: Exclusive breastfeeding will hasten your baby’s physical & mental development. This is the best way to demonstrate your love and care for your baby.

Q1. What are the benefits of the action? Q2. What are the obstacles to carrying out the action?

Q3. How can we overcome the obstacles? Step 2: Together read the Q & A about each of the 7 Feeding Actions. The students do not need to know any more information than is in the Q & A.

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Facilitator Note: In Lesson 3 we will do the following activities:

1. Discussion of 7 Feeding Actions (continued).

2. Organize a Community Meeting

Lesson 3: Discussion of 7 Feeding Actions (continued).

Time: 45 minutes

Materials: Child Nutrition Cards

Q & A about the 7 Feeding Actions

Methodology: Discussion

Activity 1: Discussion 7 Feeding Actions (continued).

Explain: During our last lesson we learned about the 2 breastfeeding actions.

Q1: Who can tell us what those actions are?

1. Mothers, begin breastfeeding within one hour of your baby’s birth.

2. Mothers, Exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first six months (no other liquids or solids, not even water).

Q2: Why are the 2 breastfeeding actions important?

1. Benefit: Starting to breastfeed right away protects the baby from illness, facilitates the expulsion of the placenta and ensures you have sufficient breast milk production.

2. Benefit: Exclusive breastfeeding will hasten the baby’s physical & mental development. This is the best way to demonstrate your love and care for your baby.

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Step 1: Now we are going to read and discuss the 5 Complementary Feeding Actions (Actions No. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) on the Child Nutrition Card.

Feeding Actions 3 – 7 to Promote Complementary Feeding

3. Mothers, at six months feed your baby enriched soft and thick porridge. Benefit: After six months breast milk alone doesn’t satisfy the nutritional need of the fast growing baby. Thick porridge gives your baby’s energy and fills his/her stomach.

4. Mothers, at six months, add a special food, like milk or eggs, to baby’s porridge. Benefit: Special foods, especially foods from animals, are essential for your baby to grow healthy, be smart at school and strong.

5. Fathers, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your baby has special foods added to his/her porridge. Benefit: Special foods will keep baby healthy, smart at school and strong.

6. Mothers and fathers, at 6 months in addition to breastfeeding make sure that your baby finishes three meals every day. Benefit: Three full meals will help your baby to grow well, stay healthy and be smart at school.

7. Mother and fathers, when your baby is sick continue to breastfeed and give your baby extra food. After your baby is better give an extra meal every day for at least 1 week.

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Facilitator Note:

1. Following the community meeting, it will be helpful if kebele officials and HEWs help the school identify families with babies who are 0 – 24 months.

2. Some parents may not have attended the community meeting.

3. It’s important that all parents understand how the Smart and Strong Family Works. For this reason, it’s best if an HEW, community volunteer or teacher accompanies the Student Nutrition Teams during their first home visit.

Benefit: Extra food during and after illness helps your baby get back to full strength faster.

Q1: Are there any actions that you don’t understand? Q2: Let’s go through each action again and discuss what the obstacles there might be for a family to carry out the action? Let’s also discuss how a family might overcome the obstacles. Note: Together read the Q & A about each of the actions. All the information the students need to know is in the Q & A. Activity 2: Organize a Community Meeting

Next we need to organize a community meeting to explain to parents how the Smart and Strong School Program works.

• At this meeting the kebele leaders, the HEWs, school director and teachers will tell parents why the 7 Feeding Actions are so important for children from 0 – 24 months.

• Then we will begin to match up families with babies less than 2 years with Student Nutrition Teams who will work with them.

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1. Practice Using the Child Nutrition Card

2. Feedback on the Practice Session.

3. First Home Visit by Student Nutrition Teams

Lesson 4: Practice Using the Child Nutrition Card.

Time: 1:30 hours


Methodology: Small group of 3 students

Activity 1: Practice Using the Child Nutrition Card 1. Ask the first student to use the Child Nutrition Card to promote Actions

1 and 2 to the other members of the group. (10 minutes)

2. Give the Child Nutrition Card to the second member of the group and ask her to promote Actions 3 & 4. (10 minutes)

3. Now hand the card to the third member of the group and ask her to

promote Actions 5 & 6. (10 minutes) 4. Give the card back to the first member of the group and ask her to

promote Action 7 (10 minutes)

Facilitator’s Note:

• Be sure that the groups of 3 students are well spread out.

• Move groups outside or to another classroom if necessary.

• Everyone should get a chance to practice using the Child Nutrition Card

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Activity 2: Feedback on the Practice Session.

Q1: Do you feel that you will be able to use the Child Nutrition Card when you visit a family? Q2. What was the most difficult part of using the card? Q3. Why is it important to always refer to the card and not to talk about the 7 actions on your own? Q4: Let’s discuss the Tips on Using the Child Nutrition Card. Activity 3: First Home Visit by Student Nutrition Teams Explain: The 3 goals of the first home visit to families are:

1. Greet the family and see the baby.

2. Ask the member of the Women’s Army who is with you to explain the Smart and Strong School program to the parents.

3. Explain that the Student Nutrition Team will visit the family 5 or 6 times.

Tips On Using The Child Nutrition Card

• Anytime a Student Nutrition Team visits a family with a baby, they should use

the Child Nutrition Card to help the family carry out one of the 7 Actions.

• Only work on 1 or 2 Actions at a time.

• Ask: “Do you think you can do the action like this family on the card?”

• If the parents bring up difficulties, help them to find solutions.

• Always encourage the parents. Always be positive.

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4. Set a time for the next visit.

Step 1: Now let’s discuss what our Student Nutrition Teams are going to say when they visit families with babies 0 - 24 months.

• During the first visit you will introduce yourselves and get to know the parents and the baby.

• We will not use the Child Nutrition Card or begin to speak about the 7 Actions. That will start during the second visit.

• It’s best if an HEW or a member of the Women’s army can accompany each team on their first visit – to introduce you to the parents.

Step 2: Let’s practice the kind of conversation that your team may have during your first home visit.

Ask 3 students to read the roles of student, mother and Women’s Army member in the dialogue below:

Facilitator Note:

• It’s best if each Student Nutrition Team has one adult, usually a member of the Women’s Army, to assist them.

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Practice Dialogue for the First Home Visit

Students: Good afternoon. We are a Student Nutrition Team. We are part of the Smart and Strong School Program.

Mother: Good afternoon. Come on in. I’ve heard that you would be visiting. This is Desta. He’s just 6 months old.

Students: What a cute baby. Hi Desta, how are you?

Mother: I’ve just heard a little bit about the Smart and Strong Family program from my friend, Fitsum, who attended a meeting at the school last week. Can you tell me about the program?

Students: Sure. In our school, we are learning how important good nutrition is for babies during the first 2 years of their lives. Good nutrition helps a baby get off to the smart and strong start in her life. It also prepares her to do well in school.

Mother: Well I’d like to learn more about how I can be sure that Desta is smart and strong.

Member of the Women’s Development: We are very glad that you would like to learn more about correct nutrition for Desta. There are 7 Feeding Actions that this Student Nutrition team with explain to you. They are learning about each of these actions in school and then will come and visit you.

Students: Wonderful. When is a good time for us to return?

Remember • If the father can attend too, that’s always good.

• Always be courteous. The Smart and Strong School Program aims to help

families improve the nutrition of their babies.

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1. Sharing Our Experience

2. Practice Dialogue for Second Home Visit 3. Second Home Visit By Student Nutrition Teams

Lesson 5: Experience Sharing

After the first visit to your family, Student Nutrition Teams will share their experiences and prepare for their second visit.

Time: 1:30 hours Materials: Child Nutrition Cards Methodology: Experience sharing

Activity 1: Sharing Our Experience Q1: Let’s have each team tell us about their first visit to their families.

Q2: How many of you went with an HEW or a member of the Women’s Development Army?

Q3: Were the parents interested in your visit? Do they want to learn more?

Q4: Did you set up a time to return for your second visit?

Q5: How do you feel about the Smart and Strong School program so far?

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Activity 2: Practice Dialogue for Second Home Visit

Ask 3 students to read the roles in the dialogue below:

Practice Dialogue for the Second Home Visit

Student 1: Good afternoon Mrs. Gebre. Hi Desta, how are you.

Mother: Hi there, you’re right on time. That’s good because I have to go to the market later.

Student 1: How has Desta been? He looks happy.

Mother: Oh he’s fine today, but he had some diarrhea yesterday.

Student 2: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. We’ve been learning about 7 Feeding Actions in school. We are also sharing what we learn with families in our community. Is it OK if we go over 3 of the 7 Feeding Actions today?

Mother: Yes, that would be good.

Student 1: This is the Child Nutrition Card. It has all 7 Feeding actions on it. We will leave this with you.

Student 2: Let me read the first three actions. (Student reads from the card). Have you heard about these actions before?

Mother: Yes, the HEW told me why it was important to begin breastfeeding right after Desta was born and why exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months was important. But I haven’t heard about Action 3.

Student 1: Yes, Action 3 is “Mothers, at six months feed your baby enriched soft and thick porridge.”

Student 2: And you’ll also be interested in Action 7. “Mother and fathers, when your baby is sick continue to breastfeed and give your baby extra food. After your baby is better give an extra meal every day for at least 1 week.”

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Activity 3: Second Home Visit by Student Nutrition Teams

Explain: The 3 goals of the second home visit to families are:

1. Get to know the mother and her baby better.

2. Depending on the age of the baby, discuss the appropriate actions: • If the baby is less that 6 months – Action 2 • If the baby is over 6 months – Action 3 and 4 • If the baby has recently been ill – Action 7.

3. If the mother cites any obstacles to carrying out an action, see if you

can help her find a solution.

4. Set a time for the next visit.

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Facilitator Note: • The Special Porridge Demonstration should be carried out with the

assistance of HEWs or members of the Women’s Army.

• Invite families with children 0 – 24 months to the school. Also, you can organize separate demonstrations in each neighborhood.

Facilitator Note: In Lesson 6 we will do the following activities: 1. Sharing Our Experience

2. Special Porridge Demonstration

3. Third Home Visit by Student Nutrition Team

Lesson 6: Special Porridge Demonstration

As a result of this lesson, students will be able to make “Special Porridge.” Time: 2 hours

Materials: Foods and materials for special porridge demonstration

Methodology: Demonstration

Preparation: Beforehand, invite families to come to the demonstration

Activity 1: Sharing Our Experience Q1: Let’s have each team tell us about their second visit to their families.

Q2: Which actions did you speak about?

Q3: Did the parents say they would try to carry out any of the actions?

Q4: Did they bring up any barriers or difficulties?

Activity 2: Special Porridge Demonstration

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Preparation: Be sure that the fire is lit and that you have everything you need for the demonstration.

• Cooking utensils and a stove or fire for cooking • Ingredients for enriched porridge:

o Local grain o Cooked pulses o Oil or butter o One of these special foods:

! Egg ! Milk ! Dried powdered meat

Step 1: Explain: To ensure that our babies grow smart, healthy and strong, we must feed them special foods. The best special foods come from animals. • They are: eggs, milk, and dried powdered meat.

• Babies of 6 months can eat these foods.

• Special foods help the baby’s brain to grow.

• Babies who eat these foods will do well in school.

Step 2: Prepare the Porridge: • Show how you add the grains so that the porridge will be thick.

• Now add the pulses.

• Then add an egg or a glass of milk.

• Be certain that the porridge is as thick as thick honey (not runny).

• That’s it – it’s very easy.

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Step 3: Pass the porridge around so that everyone can taste it. • Now ask mothers with babies 6 months or older to feed the porridge to

their babies.

• Remind the mothers how babies learn to eat – little children must enjoy each new food.

• If a baby doesn’t want to eat, that’s OK. The mother can take some

porridge home with her.

• Ask, who can tell us why Special Porridge helps our babies grow to be smart and strong?

Activity 3: Third Home Visit by Student Nutrition Teams Explain: Now following the Special Porridge demonstration each Student Nutrition Team will return to visit their families for the third time. This visit has 3 objectives: 1. Promote Action No. 3, No 4 and No. 5.

2. Answer questions parents may have about Action No. 3 and No. 4

using The Student Q & A Handbook.

3. If a mother has difficulty carrying out Action No. 4 (Special Foods) someone from the Women’s Development Army can help her.

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Facilitator Note: The following 4 activities are part of Lesson 7


2. The Role of Fathers.

3. Practice Dialogue with Fathers

4. Fourth Home Visit by Student Counseling Teams

Lesson 7: Talking With Fathers

As a result of Lesson 7 students will understand the role fathers need to play in carrying out the 7 Feeding Actions Time: 1 hour


Methodology: Discussion and practice dialogue

Activity 1: Sharing Our Experience Q1: Let’s have each team tell us about their third visit to their families.

Q2: Did you have success in promoting Actions No. 3, No 4 and No. 5?

Q3. Did the fathers bring up any difficulties carrying out Action No. 5 (Special Foods)? Activity 2: The Role of Fathers. Explain: In Ethiopia many fathers are not actively involved the health of their children. In order for Ethiopia to prosper, fathers will have to play a more active role in their children’s wellbeing.

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Q1: During your visits to families, have any of you met fathers who are actively helping their wives? A1: Explore the possibilities of having fathers play a more active role. Q2: Let’s look at Action No. 5: Fathers, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your baby has special foods added to his/her porridge. Special foods will keep baby healthy, smart at school and strong. • During our visit, it’s important to explain to fathers why eggs and milk

are important and how Special Porridge will help their baby grow to be smart and strong.

• Try to set up a time to visit your family when the father will be home. It’s OK to speak with both the father and the mother together.

• Draw special attention to the 3 Feeding Actions (#5, 6 & 7) that are

addressed to fathers.

• Thank the fathers for taking time to learn more about how to help their young children grow smart and strong.

Activity 3: Practice Dialogue with Fathers Ask 1 student to play the role of father and 3 students to play the Student Nutrition Team.

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Practice Dialogue for Third Home Visit – With Fathers

Students: Exchange greetings and introduce themselves. Father: I heard from my wife that you were helping to improve the nutrition of babies in the community. That is excellent. I’m very interested. Student: Yes, as part of the Smart and Strong School Program, we are promoting 7 Feeding Actions with parents who have babies that are less than 2 years old. Father: My wife takes care of our baby. Student: Yes, that’s how it is in most families. But for families to have Smart and Strong children, fathers have to play an active role. Father: Why can’t I do the same as my father and grandfather did? Students: Times are changing. All children in Ethiopia are going to school. Both the mother and the father have to prepare their children for school from the day they are born. Father: OK what do I have to do? Students: Let’s look at the Child Nutrition Card and see which actions are for the mothers, which for the fathers and which are for both. (Students continue using the Child Nutrition Card.)

Action No.5: Fathers, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your baby has special foods added to his/her porridge.

Action No. 6 Mothers and fathers, at 6 months in addition to breastfeeding, make sure that your baby finishes three meals every day.

Action No. 7: Mothers and fathers, when your baby is sick, continue to breastfeed and give your baby extra food. After your baby is better, give an extra meal every day for at least 1 week.

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Activity 4: Fourth Home Visit by Student Counseling Teams

Explain: An HEW or member of the Women’s Army will go with each Student Nutrition Team. This visit has 3 objectives: 1. Review all 7 Actions with the parents to see if they have earned a Smart

and Strong Family Certificate.

2. Have the HEW or member of the Women’s Army help families that are having any difficulty.

3. Explain that the school will soon be organizing a Celebration of Success

and that it’s important that the family attend.

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Facilitator Note: The following activities are included in Lesson 8.


2. Our School’s Progress Towards Its Target

3. Fifth Home Visit By Students Nutrition Teams

4. Planning for Our Celebration

Lesson 8: Experience Sharing with Kebele Leaders, HEWs, and the Women’s Army.

As a result of this lesson Student Nutrition Teams will:

• Understand the progress made towards reaching the school’s target.

• Receive additional support from the kebele to reach the school target.

Time: 1 hour


Methodology: Experience sharing

Preparation:

1. Invite Kebele leaders, HEWs and representatives from the Women’s Army to an Experience Sharing Meeting. 2. Meet with the Student Nutrition Teams before hand to know which teams are progressing well and which teams need help with their families.

Activity 1: Sharing Our Experience Introduction: Thank you everyone for coming. Today we want to share the progress we’ve made towards becoming a Smart and Strong School.

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Q1: Let’s start by asking our Student Nutrition Teams if they have a story about new feeding actions their families have started to carry out. Q2: Who has a story about a father who has helped carry out one of the 7 Actions during the past week? Q3: Does anyone have a story about a family’s success with special foods? Congratulations to our Student Nutrition Teams – you’ve done a great job. Now let’s see how kebele leaders, HEWs and the Women’s Army can assist our school in reaching its target. Let’s applaud for everyone who has shared their stories. Q4: Are any of the families carrying out all 7 Feeding Actions? • These families have earned the “Smart and Strong Family Certificate. Q5: Does any family need help with any of the 7 Actions? For example: • Mothers who have difficulty breastfeeding.

• Families who find it difficult to add 2 special foods to their baby’s

porridge each week.

• Mothers who must be away from their children during the day. Explain: We would like a kebele leader, an HEW or a member of the Women’s Army to accompany each Student Nutrition Team the next time they make a home visit.

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Activity 2: Our School’s Progress Towards Its Target Ask a Kebele Leader or the School Director to say a few words about the progress our school is making towards becoming a Smart and Strong School. Q1: How is the School progressing towards its target? • Our school’s target is ____________.

• So far we have __________ mothers and fathers who have carrying out

the 7 Feeding Actions. Q2: Can you share any ideas about what’s worked well at other schools? Activity 3: Fifth Home Visit by Student Counseling Teams Explain: An HEW or member of the Women’s Army will go with each Student Nutrition Team. This visit has 3 objectives: 1. Review all 7 Actions with the parents to see if they have earned a Smart

and Strong Family Certificate.

2. Ask the fathers if they are providing eggs and milk for Special Porridge and if they are supporting the other 6 Actions.

3. Explain that the school will soon be organizing a Celebration of Success

and that it’s important that the family attend. Activity 4: Planning for our Celebration. Lets’ plan a celebration of our group’s success – having completed the 9 School Lessons and having met our goal.

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Lesson 9: Celebration of Success

This celebration should be carried out approximately 3 months after the start of the 9 School Lessons. This will allow plenty of time for families to develop good habits carrying out the 7 Actions.

Time: 2 hours

Materials: Smart and Strong Certificates

Preparation: Invite Kebele Officials, HEWs, Women’s Army and parents.

Activity 1: Celebration of Our Success • Welcome to everyone!!

• Explain: Today is our last Smart and Strong School lesson. We have

invited kebele officials, HEWs, Women’s Army and parents to celebrate the success that we’ve had Becoming a Smart and Strong School.

Q1: Let’s start by asking mothers to share with everyone how the 7 Feeding Actions have helped their baby. Q2: How about the dad’s – please tell us how you have helped your wife to have a Smart and Strong Baby. Q3: And now, if our guests could tell us about the success that they are having carrying out the 7 Actions.

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Next Steps • Families who have earned a certificate will need to visit each other and

encourage everyone to keep carrying out the 7 Feeding Actions.

• Our school will initiate the next round of Smart and Strong School Lessons at the beginning of the next semester.

• Congratulations to everyone for the wonderful work you have done.

Thank you all again for your commitment and we wish that all our babies may all grow smart and strong!

Sample Agenda for Smart and Strong School Celebration

1. Opening Speech by Local Official

2. Riddles, poems and Songs

3. Skits about typical counseling situations

4. Competition: Q and A on Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding

5. Family Success Stories

6. School Reports on Activities

7. Presentation of Smart and Strong Certificates to families and students.

8. Recognition of the Kebele Leaders, HEWs, Women’s Army and teachers.

9. Announcement of the new target next semester 10. Closing

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