Prepared by ECTARC and

NSW Ministry of Health

Making it Happen Staff Development Kit

Session 1 of 2

What is Munch & Move?

A NSW Ministry of Health

program.

A fun, play-based program

that promotes children’s

healthy eating and active

play and reduces small

screen recreation.

Linked to other NSW

government programs in

primary schools that

promote healthy eating

and physical activity.

Munch & Move Key Messages

MOVE

• Get active each day

MUNCH

• Encourage and support breastfeeding

• Choose water as a drink

• Eat more fruit and vegetables

• Choose healthier snacks

MONITOR

• Turn off the television or computer and

get active

Key risk factors for poor eating habits and

sedentary behaviours can be modified from an

early age through positive, health promoting

messages and strategies . . .

Healthy habits start early!

. . . Children who

develop healthy

eating and activity

habits from a young

age are more likely to

CONTINUE THESE

HABITS IN THE LONG

TERM – contributing

to ongoing health and

wellbeing.

Links to Early Childhood

Guidelines and Standards

National

Quality

Framework

NQS 7 Quality Areas

Standard 2.2

HE Guidelines & PA

Recommendations

ECEC

Service

6 Key

Messages

Education & Care Services

National Law and Regulations

EYLF 5 Learning

Outcomes

The Australian Dietary

Guidelines & the

Australian Guide to

Healthy Eating

15 Practices

Let’s explore the Munch & Move

Resources

Blue

Resource

Wallet

Munch & Move music CD

FMS Lanyards

Fact sheets

Munch & Move Order Forms

Brochures

Workshop Handouts

www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au

Implementing Munch & Move into

the ECEC Service

NQS – Standard 2.2

Healthy eating and

physical activity are

embedded in the

program for children. Everyday

Curriculum

Families Role

modelling

Intentionally plan Munch &

Move learning experiences.

Use spontaneous opportunities

to promote Munch & Move.

Link discussions back to the

Munch & Move key messages.

It is intended that all children attending the

service will have the opportunity to

participate in Munch & Move related

experiences on a regular basis as part of the

weekly program.

EYLF – Elements

Curriculum encompasses all the

interactions, experiences, routines and

events, planned and unplanned, that occur

in an environment designed to foster

children’s learning and development.

NQS – Element 1.1.2

Each child’s current knowledge, ideas,

culture, abilities and interests are the

foundation of the program.

NQS – Element 1.1.5

Every child is supported to

participate in the program.

NQS – Element 1.2.2

Educators respond to children’s ideas and

play and use intentional teaching to scaffold

and extend each child’s learning.

Integrating Munch & Move into the

everyday curriculum

Role modelling

You can

encourage

healthy habits

by practicing

them yourself!

EYLF - Principles

Secure, respectful and reciprocal

relationships. Through a widening network

of secure relationships, children develop

confidence and feel respected and valued.

NQS – Standard 5.1

Respectful and equitable

relationships are

developed and maintained

with each child.

Educators and the ECEC service should be role

modelling healthy behaviours and providing a healthy

environment for children and their families.

NQS - Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Modelling, reinforcing and

implementing healthy eating and

nutrition practices with children

during mealtimes.

NQS - Element 2.2.2 – Guidance:

Educators becoming involved in

and enjoying participating in

children’s physical activity.

Partnerships with families

Families are the first teachers of their children.

The ECEC service needs to work in close partnership with families

so they understand what the service is trying to achieve with

Munch & Move and why.

EYLF - Principles

Respect for diversity.

Respecting diversity means

within the curriculum valuing

and reflecting the practices,

values and beliefs of families.

EYLF - Principles

Partnerships. Learning outcomes

are most likely to be achieved

when early childhood educators

work in partnership with families.

NQS – Element 6.2.2

Current information is

available to families

about community

services and resources

to support parenting and

family wellbeing.

NQS – Element 6.1.2

Families have opportunities to

be involved in the service and

contribute to service decisions.

NQS – Element 6.2.1

The expertise of

families is recognised

and they share in

decision making about

their child’s learning

and wellbeing.

NQS – Element 6.1.3

Current information

about the service is

available to families.

Where to from here?

Explore the Munch & Move key messages.

Reflect on our service’s current healthy eating and physical

activity practices.

Go through the Checklist to reflect on how our service promotes

the key messages to children, staff and families.

Use the Munch & Move resources for support, guidance and

inspiration.

Remember support available from our Local Health District

Health Promotion team.

Munch Encouraging Healthy Eating

NQS – Element 2.2.1

Healthy eating is promoted and

food and drinks provided by the

service are nutritious and

appropriate for each child.

Newly revised!

Based on the 5 Australian

Dietary Guidelines.

Provides a basis for

healthy eating.

Healthy Eating Guideline

Make sure that food offered to

children is appropriate to the

child’s age and development,

and includes a wide variety of

nutritious foods consistent with

the Australian Dietary

Guidelines.

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

www.eatforhealth.gov.au

Be a positive role model.

Sit with children, engage in conversations about

food.

Use child-sized furniture and utensils and seating

that encourages interaction.

Use positive language when discussing healthy

food.

Create a relaxed atmosphere.

Allow time for slow eaters and tolerate a little mess.

Do not force children to eat everything on their plate

or in their lunchbox – respect children’s appetite.

Do not use ‘sometimes’ food as a reward.

Keeping mealtimes positive!

NQS - Element 2.2.1 –

Guidance:

Modelling, reinforcing and

implementing healthy eating and

nutrition practices with children

during mealtimes.

NQS - Element 5.1.1 –

Guidance:

Children having

relaxed, unhurried

mealtimes during which

educators sit and talk

with children.

NQS - Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Engaging children in experiences,

conversations and routines that promote

relaxed and enjoyable mealtimes and promote

healthy lifestyles and good nutrition.

Healthy Eating

Guideline

Plan mealtimes to

be positive, relaxed

and social.

NQS

Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Never use food to reward or

punish children.

NQS - Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Furniture and utensils that are age

appropriate and developmentally suitable to

encourage children to be positively involved

in and enjoy mealtimes.

Always follow safe food handling

practices.

Manage food allergies and

intolerances and special diets.

Avoid choking-risk foods.

Children should always be seated

and supervised while eating.

Healthy Eating Guideline

Ensure that food is safely prepared

for children to eat – from the

preparation stages to consumption.

Munch

Pages

9-24

Safety first!

NQS – Element 2.1.3

Effective hygiene

practices are promoted

and implemented.

NQS – Element 2.1.1

Each child’s health

needs are supported.

Education and Care Services

National Law and Regulations

NQS – Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Eating food that is consistent with advice

provided by families about their child’s

dietary requirements, likes, dislikes and

any cultural or other requirements families

have regarding their child’s nutrition.

NQS – Element 2.3.1

Children are adequately

supervised at all times.

Key Message

Encourage and

support

breastfeeding

Healthy Eating Guideline

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended,

with positive support, for babies until around

six months. Continued breastfeeding is

recommended for at least 12 months – and

longer if the mother and baby wish.

This message is about supporting mothers who wish to

continue breastfeeding once the baby attends the service.

Supporting breastfeeding at your

ECEC Service Become a ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ service.

Inform parents upon first contact about

breastfeeding support.

Provide a quiet, comfortable and hygienic

place for mothers to breastfeed or express

milk.

Provide families with information.

Include suitable protocols for the safe

handling of EBM in your nutrition policy.

Work with the family to develop an

individual feeding management plan for the

baby.

NQS – Element 2.2.1 –

Guidance:

A supportive environment

for mothers to breastfeed.

Munch

Pages

27-29

NQS – Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

- Educators following the service’s procedures for the

safe storage and heating of food and drink, including

breastmilk.

- Written procedures for the safe storage and heating

of babies’ bottles and breastmilk.

Infant Formula

Caring for Infants booklet and Get up

& Grow resources contain

information on safe preparation of

infant formula.

Download Caring for Infants booklet

from the NSW Health website (see

Resource list related to Munch).

Healthy Eating Guideline

If an infant is not breastfed, is

partially breastfed, or if breastfeeding

is discontinued, use an infant formula

until 12 months of age.

Introducing Solids

Why?

Kidneys and digestive system have

matured.

Disappearance of tongue-thrust reflex.

Increased kilojoule and nutrient needs.

Stores of iron and zinc depleted.

Greater awareness and interest in

food.

Healthy Eating Guideline

Introduce suitable solid

foods at around six months.

Lunchboxes

NQS - Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Where the food is brought from home, how the service

encourages families to provide food that is consistent with:

Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for

Early Childhood guidelines, and/or Dietary Guidelines for

Children and Adolescents in Australia.

NQS - Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Children being provided food that is consistent with: Get

Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for

Early Childhood guidelines, and/or Dietary Guidelines

for Children and Adolescents in Australia.

Key Message

Choose water

as a drink Healthy Eating Guideline

Provide water in addition to

age-appropriate milk drinks

Did you know . . . most children enjoy drinking

water if they get into the habit from an early

age. This habit is then likely to continue

throughout life.

Drinking water – make it the ‘norm’! Why tap water?

More than half our body weight

Vital for the body to function

Best way to stay hydrated

Regulates body temperature

and bowel activity

Contains fluoride – protects and

strengthens children’s teeth

“Have access to

safe drinking

water at all times” Education and Care Services

National Regulations: Regulation 78

NQS – Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Children have ready access to water

and are regularly offered water

throughout the day.

How much fluid?

Have regular water breaks and drink water yourself!

Toddlers = 1 litre of fluid per day.

Preschoolers = 1.2 litres of fluid per day.

Drinking milk for good health

Provide full cream milk for children

under 2 years of age.

Provide reduced-fat milk for children

over 2 years of age - now eating a

broader range of foods that

contribute fat and kilojoules.

Milk and milk products provide important nutrients – calcium, protein,

riboflavin, vitamin A, zinc and vitamin D.

Children need 1½ to 2 serves of dairy each day – this means ¾ to 1 serve

of dairy during 8 hours of care (depending on age and gender).

Fruit juice and sweetened drinks

Use the Appropriate Drinks for

Babies and Young Children table

Fruit juice is not needed – plenty of vitamin

C from whole fruit and vegetables.

Soft drink, cordial, flavoured mineral waters

and sports drinks are not recommended for

children.

Artificially sweetened drinks – no sugar but encourage desire

for sweet tasting drinks.

Encourage families to send water to the service – good habit in

preparation for school.

Munch

Page 40

45% of 5 year olds had ≥ 1 decayed or

missing teeth and 10% had ≥ 7 decayed teeth.

Ways to promote water

Appropriate Drinks table – page 40

Fact sheet

Newsletter snippets – Healthy Kids Website

Music CD – ‘Water, water, water’ song

Munch Learning experiences – pages 57-60 Resources

NQS – Standard 2.2

Healthy eating and

physical activity are

embedded in the

program for children.

Key Message

Eat more fruit and

vegetables

Healthy Eating Guideline

Make sure that food offered to children is

appropriate to the child’s age and development,

and includes a wide variety of nutritious foods

consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for

Children and Adolescents in Australia.

Supplies dietary fibre and

helps prevent constipation.

Great source of vitamins and

minerals and antioxidants.

Explore textures, colours and

tastes.

Convenient, healthy snacks.

Develops skills – peeling,

chewing.

Long term health benefits.

Why encourage fruit and vegetables?

How much vegetables & fruit?

Children (2-3 years):

1 serve of fruit

2½ serves of vegetables

Children (4-8 years):

1½ serves of fruit

4½ serves of vegetables

Children need to receive half of their daily fruit and vegetable

serves during 8 hours of care.

Promoting vegetables & fruit

NQS – Standard 3.3

The service takes an active role in

caring for its environment and

contributes to a sustainable future.

NQS - Element 2.2.1 – Guidance:

Engaging children in experiences, conversations and

routines that promote relaxed and enjoyable mealtimes

and promote healthy lifestyles and good nutrition.

Munch Pages:

44-45 Recipe Ideas

46-47 Supporting this key message

61-66 Learning experiences

EYLF – Practice

Intentional teaching. Educators plan

opportunities for intentional teaching and

knowledge-building. They document and

monitor children’s learning.

Key Message

Choose healthier

snacks Healthy Eating Guideline

Offer meals and snacks at regular

and predictable intervals

Why children need healthy snacks

Children have small

stomachs and need to eat

small amounts more often

than adults.

Snacks are as important

as meals in meeting

children’s nutritional

needs and maintaining

their energy levels.

Children need a regular

daily eating routine that

ideally includes 3 meals

and 2 or 3 snacks.

Wholegrain biscuits with cheese

Apple and orange segments

½ cup of milk

Corn cakes with hummus and cherry

tomatoes

Small bunch of seedless grapes

½ cup of milk

Fruit bread and spread

Carrot and celery sticks

½ cup fruit yoghurt

Pita bread with cottage

cheese and sultanas

Apple segments

½ cup custard

Small sushi roll

½ cup fruit salad

½ cup of milk

Promoting healthier snacks

Munch Pages:

48-49 Recipe Ideas

49-50 Supporting this key message

67-68 Learning experiences

Important Munch points

Healthy eating guidelines exist

Revised Australian Dietary Guidelines

been released

Intentionally plan ‘play-based’ Munch

learning experiences each day.

Be aware of spontaneous

opportunities to promote Munch.

Be a positive role model.

Share information with families.

NQS – Element 2.2.1

Healthy eating is

promoted and food and

drinks provided by the

service are nutritious and

appropriate for each child.

Everyday

Curriculum

Families Role

modelling

Reflecting on our practices . . .

Reflect on the service’s current practices in

relation to the Munch

key messages.