Saturday, March 2, 2013
Observing and Interacting with Professionals, Children, Families in an Early Childhood Setting
I observed and interacted with a family member this week in my Head Start classroom for this module. I spoke with Amanda (not real name) who has a child, a girl in this classroom. She is on the Parent Policy Council, attends every parent club, attends various trainings offered by Head Start, volunteers in the classroom and more. Amanda and I had a chance to speak and meet a couple of times this past week and I was able to ask her how she feels childhood obesity is being combated and or prevented in her child's classroom. She informed me that this issue is of great concern to her and other parents she had meet. She believes her child's Head Start classroom is doing great at fighting and preventing childhood obesity. Amanda states that this classroom's food choices are picked and ordered by the staff nutritionist who chooses fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain products such as whole wheat ravioli, breads, tortilla shells, breading on good items and the like is whole grain only. Also, the all the pastas, cereals, breakfast items such as pancakes, waffles, etc. served in this program are all whole grain products. Each child is weighed and measured three times a year and their profile is tracked and recorded. Any signs of too much weight gain is followed up by the nutritionist and they meet with the parent to share any concerns, offer referral's, information and trainings on nutrition that is presented by the nutritionist herself. I have learned that many parents share my concerns about the growing epidemic in our country of childhood obesity. It is becoming a fast and alarming problem amongst our youngest population and we as educators must work with our parents and families to combine our efforts to prevent and reverse this detrimental condition. Two insights I have gained from this observation are that one, the parents of this program pointed out that the teacher in this classroom also had great concerns about childhood obesity and does things to reverse and prevent this in her students. One, she offers the children water regularly through out the day and she models drinking water herself with the children. Two, she has several IMIL (I am Moving I am Learning) exercise moments scheduled through out the day where she and her staff stop what they are doing and start dancing to some fun music for about ten minutes every hour and a half. The children and parents love this! And the kids are having fun while learning as they exercise.
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Hi Tina!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of dancing in the classroom. Children would probably really enjoy it and not even realize they are exercising at the same time. That's great!
I've never heard about children being weighed at school. I'm not too sure how I feel about that. My son is 11 and he is very small. The doctor is always very concerned about his weight but he eats good, healthy meals. There's not much more I could do! Is the school just focusing on the overweight kids, or underweight also?
I enjoyed reading your post, actually I get to attend a parent meeting tomorrow for Head Start. The school I am observing has CYC as their Head Start Program, and they are required to have monthly parent meetings and workshops.
ReplyDeleteNaomi,
ReplyDeleteI like your mentor teacher took the time to help you become familiar with the curriculum she uses. She explained the strategies she uses and how it helps her perform her duties as a teacher. The fact that your mentor/teacher welcomed you into her environment must have felt good. Your mentor is being the model all mentors should be. I commend you for finding a mentor to provide insight and practical strategies to assist in operating within a classroom of students.
I remember from working at a Head Start that they do a great job with providing only healthy snacks and and meals. It was a very strict policy even when it was a child's birthday, only healthy snacks were allowed. Heights and weights were also monitored regularly. I have never heard gross motor activities being called IMIL.....I like what that stands for. thank you!
ReplyDeleteHello Tina,
ReplyDeleteI like that Head Start is really concerned with how young children eat. It is an on staff nutritionist that keeps a close eye on the students, and the weight. I would like to see more child care programs watching what their students eat. Head Start is the only program that makes sure students are eating healthy foods. Yes. Childhood obesity is becoming a major problem for the children in the United States. Students are not getting enough exercise, and eating healthy foods. Students are more couch potatoes watching television, playing games, and on the computer. All child care programs do have a staff nutritionist in order; make sure the food is prepared properly.
I like that certified staff do a follow-up with parents, and watch the high risk children closely. Why is students’ weight more than three times a year? First Lady Michelle Obama is doing this let move initiative on obesity. She is also aware the growing number of childhood ob