Call for healthier learning environments for children

Early Childhood Education Services (ECEs) around the country are being challenged by the Heart Foundation to create healthier environments for children.

The Heart Foundation is encouraging all ECEs to register with its popular nutrition and active movement programme, the Healthy Heart Award, which was launched nationally in 2002.

Already more than 800 ECEs are registered with the programme, of which 299 have current awards.

However, Heart Foundation education spokesperson Anna Martin says she would like to see the number of ECEs registered to the Healthy Heart Award doubled by the end of 2009.

She says the programme has immense benefits for children under five and an estimated 40,000 youngsters are currently influenced by the programme’s messages about healthy eating and active movement. With over 4000 ECEs nationwide, there is strong potential to radically boost these numbers.

“It is exciting to think that thousands more pre-schoolers could be reaping the rewards of the Healthy Heart Award by learning about healthier eating and the importance of fun exercise through activities like playing, climbing and even dancing – which a lot of our ECEs encourage,” says Mrs Martin.

“The children just love it and it really does set a standard that they can carry through the rest of their lives because they are so much more aware of the need for good health.”

Mrs Martin says children take immense pride in working towards a Healthy Heart Award, and she wants to help more ECEs join the programme.

“The looks on their faces when we present them with awards are just so memorable. They love it and it is such a worthwhile achievement. We work very closely with the ministry of health on this programme and that support is invaluable in achieving what we do.

“We’ve recently been approached by Lollipops Educare which is aiming to have all 29 of its facilities involved in the Healthy Heart Award by the end of 2009 and that’s great to see.

“Hopefully they’ll be among hundreds of new ECEs joining the Healthy Heart Award programme this year.”