7 Learning Outcomes
- Boost learning motive:
When acting as reporters, children even asked questions which were not shown in the survey; for example: ‘I can see you’ve eaten a lot of vegetables; what are they?’
- Improve daily diet:
Children now eat breakfast every day. They know how to calculate the eating portions and the relative ratio in the Food Pyramid. They also know the 2+3 formula (2 portions of fruits and 3 portions of vegetables).
- Boost creativity:
Children had satisfaction in making their own snacks and thus gained hands-on experience, which in turn got the health messages across to others.
- Have fun:
The school asked children to bring some food packaging and see if the corresponding foodstuffs were healthy. Such activity was interesting for them.
- Enable parent-child interaction:
Parents were encouraged to participate in the Joyful Fruit Day and familiarise themselves with the benefits of eating fruits. This also improved family ties.
- Organise a ‘healthy birthday party’:
Following the ‘Nutrition Guidelines for Children Aged 2-6 (For Pre-primary Institutions)’, the school replaced party snacks with healthy ones. To prepare them, teachers use wholesome ingredients in the right amount and cooked in the recommended ways. From now on, only non-greasy food of low-salt and -sugar content is served at such parties.
- Enjoy refreshments:
Children enjoy healthy snacks at school, such as the ‘fruit-skewers’.
Stage 3: Sharing Platform
Ms. Chan Lai Yee , Headmistress
- We used to see that many elders or maids bought the children unhealthy snacks such as siu maai or ‘fishballs’ after school. These snacks contained high level of salt and fat, which ruin the children’s appetite for dinner. This affected their intake of nutrients. Therefore, we kept explaining to parents that fruits and plain crackers were healthier choices. We saw improvement.
- Some children may need more food owing to physical development. Therefore, we used to let them eat as much as they want at teatime. After the project, however, we realise that it is essential not to overeat, and that too much snack reduces their appetite for proper meals. Now children eat regularly and maintain a healthy diet without overeating.
- The project supplies practical guidance for the school and parents. We make good use of the resources; for example, we make print-outs of the Food Pyramid and other nutritional information as leaflets for parents.
Conclusion
The StartSmart@school.hk Pilot Project has brought about a very positive impact on the school. The ‘Nutrition Guidelines for Children Aged 2-6 (For Pre-primary Institutions)’ and the ‘Physical Activity Guide for Children Aged 2-6 (For Pre-primary Institutions)’ are extremely useful for the school when it is organising related activities. The school hopes to get the health message across to the community for the sake of a healthy new generation.
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