Unit 1.1 Support healthy lifestyles for children through the

provision of food and nutrition

Learning outcomes• Explain the impacts of poor diet on children’s health and

development in the short term and long term• Identify reasons for, special dietary requirements, keeping

and sharing coherent records with regard to special dietary requirements

• Explain the role of the early years practitioner in meeting children’s individual dietary requirements and preferences

• Describe benefits of working in partnership with parents/carers in relation to special dietary requirements

LO4. Understand the impact of poor diet on children’s health and development 4.1

Starter Activity Time: 15 mins• With a partner, recap on what you defined as healthy eating in Lesson 1.• Now describe what a poor diet might be for a young child.

• How might this affect their health and development in the short term?• How might this affect their health and development in the long term?

Poor Brain Function Poor Activity levelsPoor SleepMood ProblemsDigestive problems

OsteoporosisCardiovascular DiseaseObesityTooth decayBrain development

LO4. Understand the impact of poor diet on children’s health and development [AC 4.1]

In the short term a poor diet can lead to:• Malnutrition can cause poor growth and physical development – a

failure to gain height and weight• Loss of concentration• Tiredness• Increased susceptibility to infections• Tooth decay – caused by sugary foods• Bleeding gums• Poor skin and hair condition• Obesity.

The impact of poor diet on children’s health and development in the short term

LO4. Understand the impact of poor diet on children’s health and development [AC 4.1]

Time: 15 mins

With a partner discuss how the short term issues may have an impact in the long term.• Consider how they may impact on a person’s health, mental

and social well-being.• How can loss of concentration impact on health and

development in the long term?• What is the difference between malnutrition and under-

nutrition?

LO4. Understand the impact of poor diet on children’s health and development 4.1

In the long term a poor diet can lead to:• Heart conditions, diabetes, emotional and social problems can

all be caused by obesity.• Weak immune system, osteoporosis and diabetes can be

caused by malnutrition.• Poor health may lead to a loss in income as the adult may be

unable to work.Remember: eating habits developed in childhood set the foundations for the habits of the adult.

The impact of poor diet on children’s health and development in the long term

There are many reasons why children may need special diets. These can vary from lifestyle preferences, to disorders which may require special diets.• Lifestyle choices

If a parent wishes their child to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, the setting should respect their wishes.

• Religious requirementsSome religions exclude certain sorts of meat, or stipulate how the meat should be butchered.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences 5.1

Reasons for special dietary requirements

• Cultural requirementsMany cultures have special food for special festivals, e.g. pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.Sort your given cultural variations in diet hand out produce a table

• DisordersFood allergies, food intolerances, diabetes, overweight/underweight children, children who have digestive or chewing difficulties.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences [AC 5.1]

Reasons for special dietary requirements (continued)

• Practitioners should have regard to all relevant legislation.• According to the EYFS, before admitting a child to the setting,

the practitioner should ask if the child has any special dietary needs or food allergies and should ensure that they have an emergency contact number. They will also need to take account of parents’ wishes, e.g. cultural or religious requirements.

• Practitioners will need to ensure that this information is regularly updated and should share it with all adults who work with the children to ensure their health and safety.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences [AC 5.1]

Reasons for keeping and sharing coherent records with regard to special dietary requirements

• It is important to collect this information so that the practitioner is fully informed. When providing snacks, meals or carrying out food activities, the practitioner will use this information to ensure the safety of all children, e.g. if a child is lactose intolerant they will need to be given options other than milk to drink.

• If children bring in sweets for a birthday treat to share with the class, practitioners may need to know of any cultural requirements as some sweets containing gelatin may not be allowed.

• A practitioner will need to know of any children who are allergic to peanuts, as this could result in anaphylactic shock and the practitioner will need to know what to do in this situation.

• Anyone who works with the children will need to share this information.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences [AC 5.1]

Reasons for keeping and sharing coherent records with regard to special dietary requirements (continued)

Time: 15 mins

1. What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

• Research the symptoms of an allergic reaction and what you, as a practitioner, should do if a child has one.

2. What is anaphylaxis?• Research this and what to do if a child has an anaphylactic shock.

3. Why is gelatin banned in some religions?• Research the use of gelatin in sweets.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences [AC 5.1]

Time: 15 mins

Now that you have researched food allergies and food intolerances, work together to list other reasons there might be for special dietary requirements.Consider:• Health reasons• Religious reasons• Personal preferences.List issues under all of these reasons.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences [AC 5.1]

Time: 15 mins

In small groups choose one of the reasons for special dietary requirements discussed in the Classroom discussion activity.• Share the knowledge or experience that you have on the

subject.• Research the subject as a group – you may wish to allocate

different research topics to each group member.• Produce an information poster to share with the rest of the

class.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences 5.1

• Practitioners need to liaise with parents in order to be aware of any allergies or specific cultural or religious requirements. They should ensure that they have regard for these when they are providing snacks or planning an activity involving food.

• Practitioners should always have regard for the importance of diet to children’s development.

• They should also ensure that they consider the following:• Children’s rights• Welfare of children• Long term effects of diet.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences 5.2

The role of the early years practitioner in meeting children’s individual dietary requirements

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences [AC 5.3]

Benefits of working in partnership with parents/carers in relation to special dietary requirements

• Practitioners need to remember that the parent/carer is the ‘expert’ on their child. It is, therefore, very important for practitioners to work closely with parents or carers. An open door policy is helpful in achieving this.

• Parents/carers can update practitioners on changing dietary conditions, they can explain the child’s condition to the practitioner and educate them about the condition, they can suggest alternative foods.

• Parents could be invited into the setting to run food activities with groups of children. This could introduce children to foods from other cultures.

Time: 15 mins

What is the role of the practitioner in meeting children’s individual dietary requirements?Consider:• Children’s rights• Current frameworks• The welfare of children• Long term effects on children• Providing a good role model.Focus on:Liaising with parents/carers.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences [AC 5.2, 5.3]

Time: 15 mins

Research the following conditions:• Coeliac condition• Cystic fibrosis• Galactosaemia• Diabetes.Choose one of these and write a weekly menu for a child in your setting with this condition.

LO5. Understand individuals’ dietary requirements and preferences [AC 5.1, 5.2]

Learning outcomes• Explain the impacts of poor diet on children’s health and

development in the short term and long term• Identify reasons for, special dietary requirements, keeping

and sharing coherent records with regard to special dietary requirements

• Explain the role of the early years practitioner in meeting children’s individual dietary requirements and preferences

• Describe benefits of working in partnership with parents/carers in relation to special dietary requirements

Summary: plenary activitiesProduce a leaflet for a new practitioner at your setting.It should:1. Outline the importance of their role meeting children’s individual

dietary needs.2. Provide a brief explanation of the impacts of poor diet on children’s

health and development.3. Explain the reasons for special dietary requirements.4. Make reference to the setting’s policy on nutrition and healthy eating.