Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Developed by the Harvard School of Public Health in collaboration with the YMCA Part 1: Training Trainers Improving nutrition and physical activity for children in afterschool programs Note to trainer: Start with intro Why you are doing the Food & Fun training Introductions The powerpoint we’re taking you through can be used to train staff at your program(s). Make sure you review the curriculum before your start your own training. 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.

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Why is the curriculum important? Research shows that kids do not consume enough healthy foods & drinks, spend too much time in front of the screen, and get less physical activity than they need Schools and community organizations are looking for creative ways to help children and families develop healthy habits Afterschool and other out-of-school time programs are ideal settings for promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity environments The Food & Fun Afterschool Curriculum materials are designed to support these healthy environments and teach kids and families about positive nutrition and physical activity behaviors Note to trainer: Read through bullets Other notes: Screentime = TV, computer, video games Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Training — Part 1 Objectives Learn about the variety Food & Fun activities and materials Understand how the materials fit with a current afterschool curriculum or youth programming Understand the Food & Fun health messages Make a plan for how to get started with Food & Fun Note to trainer: Read through bullets Using another curriculum is fine as long as the messages and goals are consistent with our the messages contained in Food & Fun Part 1: Training Trainers

What’s My Role as a Trainer? Train staff on the Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum materials and health messages Coach staff on using the materials to connect with kids and families Plan for tracking use and effectiveness of the materials Note to trainer: Read through bullets This training is unique. Coaching & tracking for use is important for you need to stay connected. Collecting data will help you see who is using the curriculum and what materials are used most. Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Curriculum Components Afterschool activities for kids Parent communications Nutrition and physical activity planning and tracking tools Harvard Prevention Research Center Environmental Standards for Nutrition and Physical Activity in Out-of-School Time Snack Sense guide for healthy, budget-friendly snacks The Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum is one support for making YMCA programs a healthy place for kids. The curriculum components include afterschool activities for kids, parents communications, and nutrition and physical activity planning and tracking tool. In this part of the training, we’ll spend the most time talking about the afterschool activities for kids and the parent communications. We’ll also refer to the environmental standards for nutrition and physical activity in out-of –school time that guide the health messages in this curriculum. In training #2, you’ll find out more about our planning and tracking tools. Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum The Basics Designed for children in grades K-5 Focused on 7 simple science-based healthy eating and physical activity environmental standards 11 units with over 70 activities to pick and choose from Encourages healthy behaviors through active play, literacy and math skills development, creative learning, and hand-on snack time activities User-friendly, flexible format and instructions Lesson extensions make activities easily adaptable across program settings and diverse populations Note to trainer: Read through bullets Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Background Before developing Food & Fun, researchers at Harvard School of Public Health held focus groups and interviews with childcare and afterschool staff Key issues that emerged included: Major opportunities to integrate lessons are during snack, physical activity time, arts & crafts, and homework periods Storage space and budgets are limited at most locations Activities usually happen in 15-20 minute intervals Parents want to get health information in a variety of ways When Food & Fun was complete researchers tested the materials in childcare and afterschool programs Note to trainer: Read through bullets Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Key features: Activities are fun, affordable and simple Health messages are easy to understand and based on the latest science Activities can easily integrate into many parts of the afterschool day Each unit has opportunities to enhance academic skills Food & Fun can be used on its own or to complement other ongoing curricula Many tools and tips to connect with families Note to trainer: Read through bullets Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum 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 11 teaching units focus on 7 science-based healthy recommendations and provide a range of activities to use throughout the school year. You don’t have to do all of them. Staff should pick the ones that they’re comfortable with and excited about doing. Themes support the goals (or environmental standards) for nutrition and physical activity in out of school time programs. For example, they include serving water on the table every day, no sugary drinks or trans fats, eating whole grains, physical activity every day, vegetables and fruits every day, and no TV time (especially TV with advertising). Messages are simple and relevant, and not technical. Discussion questions: What healthy goals/environmental standards do you think will appeal most to your staff? What unit do you think you’d like to start with? Part 1: Training Trainers

Activity Options for Children Variety of ways for kids to have fun while learning about nutrition and physical activity Arts and crafts: allow leaders to introduce messages in fun and creative way Active games: designed to involve all children in active play Group games & activities: can be used at circle time or in small groups to reinforce unit themes Books: promote literacy and healthy messages Snack time activities: hands-on way to introduce new foods and get kids interested in healthy eating Note to trainer: Read through bullets Discussion questions: What part of your program can you most easily integrate Food and Fun? Will you be able to include active games and snack time activities? Other notes on activities: The symbols can help you find the type of activities you’re looking for Check out the Recipe and Taste Test packet for new snack ideas and tools for doing taste tests with kids. Part 1: Training Trainers

Parent Communication Tools Many ways to connect with families about nutrition and physical activity Engagement activities tailored to each unit’s healthy goals Email messages Newsletter articles Parent handouts Family handbook Most parent materials available in English and Spanish Each program has different ways that they work to engage the families they serve. Food and Fun recognizes that staff have varying levels of comfort talking with parents and helps to support staff with a variety of resources that fit their needs. The engagement activities include ideas for ways to talk to parents about the Food and Fun topics at pick up. Each Food and Fun topic has an e-mail message you can send to parents to tell them what the kids are learning and how it relates to creating healthy habits at home. Newsletter articles and colorful parent handouts are other ways to send health information home. If you like the idea of giving an all-in-one reference to families, then check out the family handbook. This comprehensive reference for families provides practical tips for shopping and preparing healthy foods. It also provides recipes. Discussion questions: What parent communication tools do you think will work best at your program? Do you think you staff will feel comfortable communicating with parents about nutrition and physical activity? Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Health Messages Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Note to trainer: The could be a great opportunity to review the Environmental Standards for Out of School Time, which include the rationale and some suggested strategies for each environmental standard . The content in the environmental standards is very similar to the health messages reviewed in these slides. Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Health Messages Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum Short, simple, positive, and motivational! NOT lectures, negative, guilt producing, or humiliating Encourage kids to feel good about healthy eating, drinking and physical activity Foster an interest in trying new foods, drinks, and activities Develop healthy behaviors early in life Emphasize that being healthy can help kids feel strong and fit, improve moods, promote learning. It’s also FUN! First, a primer on what the messages ARE and what they are NOT. Food and Fun messages ARE short, simple, positive, and motivational. Example: “I’m glad to see you’re enjoying that fruit. It’s giving you healthy fiber and vitamins to grow and stay healthy.” Food and Fun messages are NOT lectures, negative, guilt producing, or humiliating. Example of a positive message: “It’s great to eat fruit every day because studies show that fiber can lower blood cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease. Plus it’s low in calories so it can help you keep a healthy weight.” The goal is to encourage kids to feel good about eating healthy and foster an interest in trying new foods. It is important to start developing healthy behaviors early in life to establish good healthy and physical activity habits for the future. Part 1: Training Trainers

Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum 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 As a reminder, the themes support the goals (or environmental standards) for nutrition and physical activity in out of school time programs. For example, they include serving water on the table every day, no sugary drinks or trans fats, eating whole grains, physical activity every day, vegetables and fruits every day, and no TV time (especially TV with advertising). Part 1: Training Trainers

Guidelines Reflect Current Science 2005 Dietary Guidelines 2006 American Heart Association Guidelines 2006 USDA Food Guide Pyramid 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2010 White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report and Let’s Move Campaign The messages in Food & Fun reflect the most up-to-date science in the field of nutrition and physical activity. Part 1: Training Trainers

Part 1: Training Trainers Vegetables and fruits Environmental Standard Serve a vegetable or fruit at every meal or snack Why is it important? Contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber that keep kids and adults healthy Protect against heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, some cancers Suggested strategy Use taste tests to learn kids’ fruit and vegetable preferences Food & Fun key messages Go for Five! Eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables (combined) each day. Try to eat a fruit or a vegetable with every meal and snack. Just take a bite! Don’t be afraid to try a new fruit or vegetable – chances are you’ll like it. Fruits and vegetables come in lots of colors. Try to eat as many different colors as you can. Units 1 & Unit 7 focus on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables Note to trainer: Read through each environmental standard, rationale, and key messages Other key point: Serving fruit juice does not substitute for whole fruit because it does not contain fiber Part 1: Training Trainers

Part 1: Training Trainers Healthy beverages Environmental Standard Serve water every day Why is it important? Water is the best way to keep kids hydrated It is calorie-free and almost cost free from the tap! Suggested strategy Serve water in a pitcher with cups at the snack table every day Food & Fun key messages Water is the best thirst quencher Water and low fat milk are the best drinks to have at snacks and meals Drink water when you are thirsty Drink water instead of juice or soda at every snack and meal Unit 10 focuses on the importance of drinking water instead of sugary drinks Note to trainer: Read through each environmental standard, rationale, and key messages Part 1: Training Trainers

Part 1: Training Trainers Healthy beverages Environmental Standard Do not serve sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, sweetened teas, fruit punch, fruit drinks, and sports drinks Why is it important? Sugar-sweetened drinks are the top source of added sugar in kids’ diets Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with obesity in children They provide a lot of calories with little to no nutritional benefit Suggested strategy Offer water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages every day and create rules that restrict the use of vending machines or sugary drinks brought from home Food & Fun key messages Drinks like soda, fruit drinks and sports drinks are loaded with sugar Eating and drinking too much sugar is not healthy for your body and it can cause cavities Juice is not as healthy as it seems. It can have as much sugar as soda Unit 3 focuses on the importance of cutting out sugary drinks Note to trainer: Read through each environmental standard, rationale, and key messages Part 1: Training Trainers

Focus on healthy dietary fats Environmental Standard Do not serve foods with trans fats Why is it important? Trans fats have many harmful effects on the body and no health benefits They are commonly found (and sometimes hidden) in packaged bakery products and deep fried foods Suggested strategy Read nutrition labels and avoid foods with the words “partially hydrogenated oil” on the ingredient list. They mean the food contains trans fats. Food & Fun key messages You need to eat fat to keep your body healthy, but not all fats are the same. Fats from fish, nuts, and seeds area healthy for your body. Limit fats from animal sources like butter, whole milk, and red meat. Do not eat trans fats found in fast food like French fries and baked goods like cookies. Unit 4 focuses on the importance of understanding the difference between unhealthy and healthy fats and cutting out trans fats. Note to trainer: Read through each environmental standard, rationale, and key messages Part 1: Training Trainers

Part 1: Training Trainers Whole grains Environmental Standard When serving grains (like bread, crackers, and cereals), serve whole grains Why is it important? Whole grains contain fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats They can lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes Whole grains help you feel full longer Suggested strategy Select bread, crackers, and cereals that list a whole grain at the first ingredient. Examples are whole wheat, barley, oats, and rye. Food & Fun key messages Whole grains are important because they help you feel full longer and make your body healthy. Eat whole grains (like whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat crackers, and brown rice) instead of refined grains (like white bread, muffins, pasta, and white rice) whenever possible. Unit 5 focuses on the importance of eating whole grains instead of refined grains whenever possible Note to trainer: Read through each environmental standard, rationale, and key messages Part 1: Training Trainers

Part 1: Training Trainers Staying active Environmental Standard Provide all children with at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day Offer 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity at least 3 days per week Why is it important? Kids 6-17 years old need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day Regular physical activity is important for preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoporosis Suggested strategy Schedule at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day Food & Fun key messages Moving your body is fun and helps your body be healthy and strong All types of activities like playing, dancing, and sports are good for you Do something active every day Doing activities that make you sweat and breathe hard will make you strong and keep your bones and heart healthy Unit 2 and Unit 9 focus on the importance of being physically active Note to trainer: Read through each environmental standard, rationale, and key messages Also for vigorous: Children should participate in vigorous physical activity that makes them sweat and breathe hard on at least 3 days per week • Playing hard is fun when it’s something you like to do. • Do an activity that makes you sweat or breathe hard at least 3 times per week. Part 1: Training Trainers

Part 1: Training Trainers Staying active Environmental Standard Eliminate broadcast and cable TV and movies Limit computer time to less than 1 hour each day Why is it important? Kids should spend no more than 2 hours each day watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the internet. Screentime can lead to overeating, less physical activity, and overweight TV watching may influence kids to make unhealthy food choices because they see a lot of ads for foods that are high in sugars and calories Suggested strategy Try new indoor active games or an arts and crafts project if weather limits outdoor play time Food & Fun key messages Moving your body keeps you fit Do something active instead of watching TV, playing video games, or spending time on the computer Unit 8 focuses on the importance of cutting down on time in front of the TV, video games and the computer. Note to trainer: Read through each environmental standard, rationale, and key messages Part 1: Training Trainers

Getting Started at your Program Variety of ways to teach staff about Food & Fun In person or telephone training with PowerPoint slides Food & Fun Facilitator's Guide for an interactive 2 hour group training Strategies to continue to build staff awareness & enthusiasm Post the Healthy Places Healthy Kids poster on your program bulletin board Make copies of your favorite units and activities Distribute parent info flyers to program staff and families Review the Key Messages for Staff found at the beginning of each unit during monthly meetings You’ve completed this training, now it’s time to take this information back to your program Note to trainer: Read to the way to teach staff Discussion questions on how to get started in programs: How will you introduce site staff to Food and Fun? -Slides? Facilitator’s Guide? How will site staff use the materials? How will you continue to train and coach staff? Best unit/healthy messages to start with? Part 1: Training Trainers

Getting Started at your Program Training resources Where to find them Train the trainer slides Right here! About Guide Front of the curriculum Environmental Standards for Nutrition and Physical Activity in Out-of-School Time Programs Key Messages for Staff Page 4 of each unit Food & Fun Facilitator’s Guide http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/research/prc/ Getting Staff on Board Healthy Places Health Kids poster New materials in Food & Fun 2nd edition are based on feedback from past Food & Fun users and research on training best practices. They are available online. Part 1: Training Trainers

Part 1: Training Trainers Your Assignment . . . Provide an initial training to your staff Try out the curriculum at your programs Note to trainer: Read bullets and add any other tasks for your trainees to this slide. Part 1: Training Trainers

Part 1: Training Trainers http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/research/prc/ www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource Come visit us! For more information on nutrition and physical activity visit the Harvard Prevention Research Center Web site. The next call will be Part 1: Training Trainers