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Child Wellness
Nutrition services are a key part in the overall program commitment to health and wellness. Benton Franklin Head Start’s child nutrition services promote child wellness by assisting families in meeting each child’s nutritional needs and establishing good eating habits that nurture healthy development and promote lifelong well being.
A registered dietitian is available at Head Start to discuss any nutrition related question you may have about your child.
I am Moving, I am Learning (IMIL) Curriculum
Benton Franklin Head Start has adopted the Choosy Kids IMIL curriculum. Choosy Kids partners with Benton Franklin Head Start and families to promote healthy life styles through music and dance, as well as, making informed food choices. Families will be encouraged to join children in learning about healthy preferences for food choices and physical activity during Parent meetings throughout the program year.
Food/Nutrition Activities
Another way children learn about healthy eating is by participating in food and nutrition activities in the classroom. Benton Franklin Head Start provides nutritious cooking activities. Children learn the importance of healthy cooking choices. Children learn to read recipes and follow directions. These activities are also a great way to participate in your child’s classroom.
Meals and Snacks
At Benton Franklin Head Start, healthy meals and/or snacks are served to your child each day. We make every effort to make our meals and snacks low in fat, salt, and sugar. Introducing new food to children is one of the important learning experiences offered at Head Start. We include a wide variety of foods so children will have an opportunity to taste, feel, and smell new foods. Our staff sit with the children, making meals a happy time with pleasant conversation. Food is served family style and the children learn to serve themselves, pour milk, and pass dishes. Children are never forced to eat.
Meals and snacks at Benton Franklin Head Start are a valuable learning experience. We suggest talking with your child about Benton Franklin Head Start meal and snack times. Come and share this valuable mealtime learning experience with your child. Reservations are requested for any meal or snack. A 24 hour notice is appreciated. This will help to ensure enough food is available.
Children enrolled in an AM class receive a healthy breakfast and lunch. Children enrolled in a PM class receive a healthy lunch and snack. They are prepared in accordance with USDA guidelines. Please do not send any additional food with your child to school as no outside food is allowed.
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Modeling Healthy eating Habits
Menus are sent home monthly to parents. Talk to your child about what they are eating at Benton Franklin Head Start. Try some of these foods at home as your child learns to eat them at Benton Franklin Head Start. The Benton Franklin Head Start menus can be used as guidelines in planning your meals. Families that eat together, eat better. Practice eating together at your home, often.
http://www.whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/search/solr-results
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/eat-right/fun-family-recipes.htm
https://www.whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/es
http://www.sesamestreet.org/toolkits/food
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/health-and-nutrition-information
USDA Non-Discrimination Statements
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.
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