Toddlers get a healthy head start
Published 7 Feb 2012 11:30
East Ayrshire toddlers will get a healthy head start to the New Year thanks to the next healthy lifestyle programme that opens its doors in April 2012. Parents or carers of children aged 2 - 4 can now sign up for a free healthy lifestyle course starting on Wednesday 18 April 2012.
Developed by experts in child health, MEND 2 - 4 (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do It!) offers families a safe and supportive environment where they can learn about nutrition and how to stay active so their child gets the best possible start in life.
The free 10-week programme is open to all children aged 2-4 and runs once a week for 90 minutes. The course includes parent workshops, fun games for children and creative play activities.
During the sessions children try a variety of fruit and vegetables and parents and carers are given healthy snack ideas. Children learn healthier habits through creative play while the adults learn how to deal with fussy eating habits and read food labels.
Allison Young, the MEND 2 - 4 programme manager said: "This fantastic free programme gives local families with young children in East Ayrshire a healthy start in life. At MEND young children are encouraged to try new things and parents and carers learn creative ways to get their child to taste and enjoy healthy snacks, which can be especially helpful to parents of fussy eaters."
Julie Duff, who attended the first MEND 2 - 4 programme at Bonnyton Community Centre with her son, Kyle, said: "MEND is a fun and informative way of implementing a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. My son enjoyed all the well planned activities, benefited by meeting other children and families and learned about healthy foods in a fun environment. My husband, daughter, son and I all participated and looked forward to going to every session."
Places are limited so if you would like to register your family for the MEND 2 - 4 programme or would like any further information then please call Allison Young, Programme Manager on 01563 576719 or email: MEND@east-ayrshire.gov.uk deadline for applications is Friday 30 March 2012. Please note the times and venue of this programme will be confirmed once families have registered to ensure suitablility.
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