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4.7: Appendix H - Self-Assessment for Positive and Healthy Meals and Snacks

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    214455
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    Appendix N: Self-Assessment for Positive and Healthy Meals and Snacks834

    Section 1: Fruits

    Fruits avalible daily

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Fruit options include fresh, frozen, and/or fruit packed in Water or juice (not

    packed in light or heavy syrup)

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Fruit options are accessible to Children for self-serving

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    All fruit names are introduced to the children prior to the meal or snack

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Fruit names are written and/or pictured near where children eat

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Adults caring for children (mg, assistants, etc.) model to children how to serve themselves and participate in family style dining

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Notes / Reflections:

    Section 2: Vegtables

    Vegatbels avalible daily

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Vegetable options include and/or labeled "reduced sodium" or “no salt added”

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Vegetables are available to children for self-serving

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    All vegetable names are introduced to the children prior to the meal or snack

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Vegetable names are written and/or pictured near where children eat

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Adults caring for children (mg, assistants, etc.) model to children how to serve themselves and participate in family style dining

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Notes / Reflections:

    Section 3: Beverages

    Fat free or 1% ild is provided daily for children

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Milk is available to children for self-serving

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Drinking water is available to children for self-serving

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    If juice is served it is either 100% fruit or vegetable juice

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    All beverage names are introduced to the children prior to the meal or snack

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Beverage names are written and/or pictured near where children eat

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Notes / Reflections:

    Section 4: Menu Selections

    Menu boards featuring daily meals and snacks are available and Visible near Where Children eat (e.g. classroom or space)

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    The menu includes a variety of foods which consider cultural and ethnic preferences

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    The menu is modified for children with food allergies / intolerances and children with disabilities

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    A monthly menu is provided to all families and staff

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    All beverage names are introduced to the children prior to the meal or snack

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    A monthly nutrition and/or physical activity message is included on the monthly menu

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Notes / Reflections:

    Section 4: ECE Providoers Role During Meal/Snack Time

    Mealtime takes place at regular scheduled time and is part of the children daily routine.

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Adults caring for children have been trained and model appropriate mealtime behavior

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Adults caring for children turn off all visible screens, including televisions, tablets, phones, etc. During meal time an engaging conversation with the children

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Adults caring for children sit with children at the table during meal time

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Adults caring for caring for children discuss if children stomachs feel full before serving a second helping of food

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    During meal time, adults caring for children encourage children to try new or less preferred foods

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    A transition activity (e.g. Reading a book, coloring activity, listening to quiet music, etc.) is offered to children when they're done with their meal

    Frequntly

    Sometimes

    Never

    Ready to get started

    Notes / Reflections:

    Action Plan

    Based on your self-assessment, create an action plan. Tips for completing your action plan:

    • Share ideas and planning with staff in your program to ensure clear expectations
    • Determine how many steps you think it will take to achieve a goal;
    • Define the steps and determine who is responsible for each step; and
    • Set a time-line for the completion of a goal and dates by which each step should be complete.

    Action Plan Worksheet

    Start Date:

    ECE Program Name:

    Goal:

    Objective / Steps

    Actions Items (Child, Family, Program, Staff)

    Program Environment

    Program Policies

    Sample Objective Step: Update menus over a 3 month period to integrate more fruits an vegetables

    Discuss these changes with the children and how they help them grow strong and healthy

    Update menu boards to share information about fresh fruits and vegetables.

    Include healthy eating as a required topic at family orientation

    Who is responsible?

    Program Staff

    Program Director, cook teachers

    Program Director

    Date

    June 1st

    July 1st

    August 1st

    Objective Step

    Who is responsible?

    Date


    This page titled 4.7: Appendix H - Self-Assessment for Positive and Healthy Meals and Snacks is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jennifer Paris.