Preface

All parents and caregivers would love to see their children grow up happily and healthily. Childhood obesity is increasing and the rate of overweight and obesity rose from 11.3% among primary one pupils in 1996/97 to 16.6% in 2009/10. There is indeed cause for concern. More worrying is the tendency for obese children to grow into obese adults.

The common causes of childhood obesity are poor dietary habits and physical inactivity. In this connection, the Department of Health has launched the StartSmart@school.hk Pilot Project in the 2010/11 school year in collaboration with 30 pre-primary institutions with encouraging results. Their experience has now been compiled into this publication so that many more pre-primary institutions can take reference from in respect of a variety of school based policies, practices, plans and teaching materials. With parental support, development and cultivation of healthy eating and physical activity habits among young children will be made much easier and more effective.

Fostering a healthy lifestyle must begin in early childhood. Second to parents, pre-primary institutions play a pivotal role. I hope that with the support of the family, school, community, government and non-governmental organisations, the StartSmart@school.hk Project will take root in settings where children learn and play.

Dr P Y LAM

Director of Health

May 2012

Preface

Pre-primary education lays the foundation for whole-person development and life-long learning. The Education Bureau is very concerned about young children’s holistic development and growth. We recommend that pre-primary institutions should provide children with care and appropriate learning opportunities which cater for their developmental needs, in order to nurture them to attain all-round development in the domains of ethics, intellect, physique, social skills and aesthetics as well as to develop good habits, so as to prepare for future life.

We are glad to see that the Department of Health worked closely with 30 pre-primary institutions to help children develop healthy living habits in the StartSmart@school.hk Pilot Project in the 2010/11 school year. With strengthened awareness and practices of healthy living in learning and teaching, young children’s healthy attitudes and habits are cultivated in learning activities that are interesting and relevant to their daily life. The Pilot Project was well received by teachers and parents. I hope that all pre-primary institutions may make reference to the experiences of the pilot schools and take into account of their situations to formulate school-based policies and measures, and devise appropriate as well as interesting learning and teaching activities, in order to help children develop good habits to meet the challenges ahead.

I trust that with the concerted effort of the Department of Health and the Education Bureau, young children will develop healthily into future pillars of society!

Dr CHAN Ka-ki

Deputy Secretary for Education

May 2012