Healthy Eating On The Menu For Children's Day!

Healthy Eating On The Menu For Children's Day!

Thousands of kids around New Zealand will have a new item on their Children's Day activity menu in 2008: healthy eating.

For the first time the Feeding our Futures national programme will be providing support and information for parents and community groups involved in activities around this important national day.

"We're delighted to be able to work with Children's Day to bring our healthy eating tips and resources to more parents and families across New Zealand," says Michelle Mako, Programme Manager for Feeding our Futures.

Children's Day is an annual non-commercial day that's all about celebrating our nation's children.

"As this year's theme is 'new experiences' we thought it was a great opportunity to talk to parents and kids about getting children to try new foods, new tastes and develop new skills to do with food and eating healthy," said Michelle.

"Children’s tastes change as they grow older, so foods that they may not like at a young age they can often grow to love as they mature. The message to parents is - don't give up and keep offering them healthy foods like vegetables - they'll soon get used to loving them!"

Children's Day has grown into a major nationwide celebration, with hundreds of events held around the country attended by thousands of children and their families. It is supported by a wide range of organisations and people, including the official Children’s Day patron, Her Excellency Susan Satyanand.

Mrs Satyanand says she is particularly proud to support Children's Day because it reminds people to focus on children, and offers opportunities for families to come together and have fun.

As well as promoting 'new experiences', Children’s Day is also a chance to promote important messages about giving children time and other things children need in their life to be happy - like love and affection, praise and encouragement and the art of listening and talking.

For ideas for fun things to do and tips on organising, registering and promoting an event visit www.childrensday.org.nz. Registered events can access free resources such as an activity booklet for the children, balloons and posters.

For more information on Feeding our Futures visit www.feedingourfutures.org.nz.

ENDS

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