Kate Russell HSCL coordinator. Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Janesboro, Limerick. Food awareness in our school. The Cook It programme.
Our Lady Queen of Peace School. DEIS band 1 school 275 pupils. Junior Infants to 6 th 30 Preschool 30 Early Start 240 families approx 8 Traveller families.
General challenges Homelessness Unemployment Drug & alcohol abuse. Attendance issues. Literacy issues among parents Single parent families Bereavement, suicide, murder, imprisonment. Parental attitude towards education. (Bad experiences in school themselves, early school leavers) Very young parents
School Healthy Food Initiatives School healthy eating policy Christine Gurnett. Breakfast club Homework club Caranbola lunches Sponge cakes & Spellings He Cooks School garden Nutritionist Public Health nurse. Incredible Years Parenting programme.
Why ? Children hungry in school. Poor nutrition and poor dietary decisions-concentration. Processed foods and additives -mood and temperament. An over reliance on processed food -obesity and associated social rejection. low intake of fruits, vegetables. Peer behaviours and opinions become more important the older a child gets. Children are more likely to eat something they prepared. Children have power to influence parents. Children presenting with specific eating and food issues.
Specific challenges General poor food awareness & education. Lack of confidence Literacy Tradition Poverty Homelessness Poor budgeting & planning Engaging parents in adult & family learning. Priorities change when your life is in crisis.
Cook it Programme. Collaborative approach. Public Health Nurse for Travellers. HSCL Principal Christine Gurnett, Senior community dietician HSE Class Teacher Alannagh O Byrne. Schools Health Promotions Officer SCP Parent
Target Group. 5 th class Traveller child targeted by PHN. Fourteen girls in 5 th. Five identified as having specific food/health issues. Target parent to train in programme and co deliver it with HSCL Planned to do Cook it programme with this group before Summer holidays. Target parents of this group to do programme later.
Needs Healthy eating. Making healthy decisions. The effect food has on our bodies. Skin, hair, nails, weight, energy etc. How to cook very tasty healthy food fast food only as a treat. The importance of food safety/hygiene. Quantity & quality of the foods we eat Poor food selection and preferences for only a small number of foods among children The dangers of skipping meals. The importance of an adequate intake of carbohydrates, proteins, fibres, vitamins & minerals. The need to reduce fats and processed foods. The importance of exercise. Cook it programme
Programme
Supplementary material
Learners book
Cook It Six week, structured but flexible nutrition education programme Each session contains background information on the particular food group, plus suggested activities and recipes. SESSION ONE. INTRODUCTORY SESSION - This session introduces the idea of healthy eating through the use of the Food Pyramid, & includes essential information on good food hygiene. SESSIONS TWO TO FIVE - Each of these sessions focuses on one of the four main food groups: Bread, cereals, potatoes, pasta and rice; Fruit and vegetables; Milk, cheese and yoghurts; Meat, fish and alternatives. SESSION SIX - This session examines the fifth food group: foods containing fat and foods containing sugar. Each session contains background information on the particular food group, plus suggested activities and recipes.
General Outcomes Enjoyment Knowledge Willingness Peer support Pride Influence Practical skills Independent learning Responsibility
Specific outcomes. Majority of parents signed up for January programme. Addressed specific eating issues. Marked decrease in fast food. Pupils learned how to cook simple nutritious food. Children continued to use recipes at home Broader knowledge of food & nutrition. Plan annual programme with 5 th class & parents
Challenges. Finance for resources & materials. Engaging target parents Training parents as facilitators Boys more difficult to engage