Bailoterapia was launched in Kings County. Corcoran Family Resource Center hosted a physical activity day to promote physical activity in their community. Parents of preschool children attending classes at CRC along with the public were invited to take part in a Bailoterapia (dance therapy) class. Seventeen participants learned the basics of dance therapy and were quoted as saying “We need this type of activity on a regular basis”. Even parents that in the past, who have struggled to leave their children in the classroom, joined the fun and engaging dance therapy class. Many of the participants expressed later with the site coordinator that they would return if classes were offered.

Food insecurities are a way of life in the central valley. Even though we produce much of the nations fresh fruits and vegetables, families living in the area find it hard to purchase fresh produce. The collaboration of Commission on Aging, Community Food Bank, Hanford Parks and Recreation and UC CalFresh established a food distribution in Hanford CA that is celebrating it's first year mark. The first Wednesday of the month members of the community have an opportunity to receive  fresh fruits and vegetables. In December they received strawberries, melons, tomatoes, lettuce, squash and pomegranates. Over 12,000 lbs of food was distributed to more than 400 families. CalFresh eligibility workers were in attendance providing information regarding the CalFresh program and to sign up anyone needing assistance. A visit from Joe Neves, a county board supervisor, dressed as Santa provided a festive atmosphere.

 

Denise Cuendett and Sue Lafferty, Nutrition Educators with the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program in Kings County promoted current USDA Dietary Guidelines along with exercise to support healthier communities. In collaboration with West Hills Community College Early Childhood Development Centers, the Piece Conference, “Practicing Intervention Early for Childhood Educators” was held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Lemoore, California.

Over 300 early childhood educators participated in the conference with a goal to increase healthy eating knowledge and nutrition-related teaching skills. During the UC CalFresh breakout session “Nutrition for Children”, the importance of nutrition in early childhood and role of nutrition education were discussed. Educators agreed that good nutrition would prevent childhood obesity and establish healthy eating and physical activity habits early on that would last a lifetime. They also agreed that nutrition education would provide and support positive feeding environments and best practices for children that included written nutrition policies, positive nutrition feeding practices, physical activity and staff and parent training. The research information regarding the importance of nutrition education in child care programs was provided by Deepa Srivastava, Ph.D., Nutrition, Family & Consumer Science Advisor for Kings/Tulare Counties.

UC CalFresh staff emphasized the use of books to teach nutrition. Using the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle educators can teach children how to sort using colors (The same colors of MyPlate). Let children search

and find items in the classroom that match the food group colors. Foods can be introduced and sorted into the food groups and finally foods can be sorted into “always” and “sometimes” foods. Educators made a beautiful butterfly using simple materials like paper plates and paints.

While early childhood educators were encouraged to adopt positive feeding practices such as healthy eating role modeling behaviors, they were reminded to not use food as a reward. In addition to teaching healthy eating, educators were also encouraged to create child-friendly environments and teach children good manners, cooperation and pro-social behaviors.  

A list of healthy party snacks was given to all in attendance. Tips to help educators encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables included the following:

• Let kids try small portions – be patient
• Offer one (1) new food at a time
• Be a good role model – try new foods yourself and describe the taste, texture and smell
• Offer new foods first ( at the beginning of a meal)
• Offer new foods many times – it can take up to a dozen tries to accept new food

At the end of the session the group made a healthy butterfly snack using snack bags, clothes pins, pipe cleaners and of course “healthy trail mix”

The Healthy Ladies visited all five classrooms to the delight on the students at Meadow Lane School in Lemoore. Dr. Anne Hoover was been active in the CalFresh Nutrition Education and encourages others teachers to participate.

 

 

 

 

Sue Lafferty focused on how physical activity can help your heart. Sue explained about why we exercise, when we should exercise and for how long. Students learn that healthy habits last a lifetime.

 

 

Parents were asked to only bring healthy snacks for the class party. A list of idea's of what would be a healthy snack was made available to parents. Students were thrilled with the Heart Healthy Snacks.

Next year sign up for one of the Healthy Ladies Heart Healthy Parties! Check our website for more ideas about class parties and healthy food ideas. Click here for the link.