Teaching and Learning..

“Preschoolers will be given regular exercise routines under a government plan to tackle childhood obesity”

(Betts & Martin, 2003).

In 2003 Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard with the support of doctors planned to implement “exercise routines” within the early childhood setting as a way to fight obesity in children under the age of five (Betts & Martin, 2003). Is that not the teacher’s job? However as I personally do not believe in set routine times, I did question the teachers/managements role in helping fight obesity. I understand that there are policies and producers put in place for teachers to support healthy eating however isn’t is there moral responsibility to do more within the early childhood setting?

As childhood obesity is growing rapidly worldwide (Rolland, Deheeger, Maillot & Bellisle) teachers within the early child hood setting should be looking at their teaching styles and ask themselves “how can we help fight the obesity epidemic”  But how do teachers practice healthy eating and physical activity if they do not know about it ? 

The heart foundation has put in place the “healthy heart award” this helps teachers practice healthy eating and physical activity with the children which is directly linked to the early childhood setting.

The healthy heart foundation aims to assists teachers to introduce healthier food choices and physical exercise. In order to make these changes teachers must work together in order to make it work. Teachers have access to resources and ideas for experiences (Ministry of Health, 1997).

As teachers are responsible for the children in their care it is important all teachers work together and implement a curriculum which provides the best care for the children within the setting (Fenney, Christensen & Moravcik, 2001). They are organisations who help work places fight obesity, for example work fit. Work fit Hawkes Bay (Part of SPARC) runs programs for work places to build more knowledge surrounding physical exercise and healthy eating by:

-Having health checks.

-Cooking classes.

-Quit smoking groups.

-Group exercise.

            As more and more early childhood settings are signing up to work fit as a result teachers are gaining more knowledge and working together which is pasted onto the children within the early childhood setting.

By gaining knowledge surrounding healthy eating and physical exercise teachers can work on teaching styles to incorporating their new knowledge into the daily running of the program.  This may include:

·         Free play outside (Even is cold weather).

·         Planning games with the children.

·         Setting up a challenging environment with opportunities for large motor skills and development.

·         Inviting the community in the setting. (Doctor, SPARC, Dentist and Sports people).

·         Healthy eating experiences (Healthy food day, Vegetable soup day and fruit days).

(Stanton & Hills, 2004).

As individual teachers hold their own pedagogical views and beliefs surrounding childhood obesity it is important that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the teaching and learning for children. In order to prevent obesity we must start early, within early childhood setting, by having teachers who support health and nutrition and set positive pathways for the children of New Zealand (Curry, 2000).  There may be no moral responsibility for teachers to help prevent obesity, it starts at home within the child'd family and whanau.

Reference List:

Betts, M., & Martin, K. (2003 Jul, 15). Problem of fat under-fives spurs exercise regime plan.Independent Newspapers, LTD. Retrieved from Pro Quest database.             http://search.proquest.com/pqcentral/docview/338040192/abstract/12F03AC79FF49AB2350/6?accountid=39646

Curry, L. (2000). Fit Kids. Keeping our kids healthy, fit and motivated. Queensland, Australia: Curry Kenny Promotions.

Heart Foundation. (2010). Healthy Heart Award for Early Childhood Education. Retrieved April 22, 2011, from http://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/index.asp?pageID=2145820300

Ministry of Health. (1997). Food and Nutrition guidelines for Healthy Children. Aged 2-12 years. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health.

Rolland, M.F., Deheeger, M., Maillot, M., & Bellisle, F. (2006, Dec). Early adiposity rebound: Causes and consequences for obesity in children and adults. Scholarly    Journal. Retrieved from Pro Quest database.             http://search.proquest.com/docview/219236828/abstract/12F043C421879A42824/1?accountid=39646ccountid=39646

Stanton, R., & Hills, A. (2004). A matter of fat. Understanding and overcoming obesity in kids. Christchurch, New Zealand: Hazard Press

Sport Hawkes Bay. (2011). What is work fit?. Retieved April 22, 2011, from             http://www.sportsground.co.nz/ClubSite.asp?SiteID=9992&PageTypeID=3&Pag  eID=33349