Free Healthy Living Programme for young children in Kirklees
Published on: 15th December 2011
A new set of free healthy living programmes targeted at the under-5s and their families are starting in January. The MEND programme for 2 to 4 year olds helps to deal with fussy eating and aims to get families active.
New 10 week programmes are set to start in the Huddersfield area at Almondbury Children’s Centre on Wednesdays at 1.15 – 2.45pm from 18 January and at Dalton & Rawthorpe Children’s Centre (start date and time to be confirmed).
Programmes in North Kirklees will take place at Batley East Children’s Centre on Wednesdays from 10-11.30am from 18 January, at Gomersal and Littletown Children’s Centre on Fridays from 9.30-11am starting 20 January, Kirklees Khandaani Dhek Bhal Children’s Centre on Mondays 1.30-3pm starting on 16 January and at Ravensthorpe Children’s Centre also on Mondays 1.30-3pm starting on 16 January . A further course will take place at Staincliffe and Healey Children’s Centre with details to be confirmed.
The MEND programmes will give local families the chance to learn about healthy lifestyle choices in a fun and creative way.
The MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it!) programme was designed by experts and is part of a national initiative to help parents give their young children a healthy start in life. A programme aimed at 7-13 years olds has been successfully running across Kirklees for more than three years.
The MEND 2-4 programme, which has been developed in response to the rise of obesity levels amongst children under 5, includes active play sessions that parents can enjoy with their children at home and a healthy snack time which encourages children to try new foods and is particularly good for fussy eaters.
The sessions will also teach skills that can help reduce the amount of time young children spend watching television, increase the time spent playing as a family, tame temper tantrums, help children increase their confidence and encourage happier meal times, all of which builds a foundation for lifelong healthy living habits. Families who have previously taken part have found their children now enjoy a wider variety of food and are more active. According to one mum, “Meal times have become so much easier after taking part and I now spend more time playing with my 3 year old rather than letting them watch too much TV”.
The sessions encourage children to try new fruits and vegetables and we show parents how they can be creative in playing with their little ones. We hope that families will take up this chance to help their children begin healthy habits that could last a lifetime.”
The MEND 2-4 courses starting in January involves children taking part in a 90-minutes session once a week for 10 weeks. A parent or carer must attend every session with each child.
Places are completely free and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Local families who want to take part should contact Kirklees Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Development Team on 01484 234096. To find out more details of these and other MEND courses visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/mend
