The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Regional Office No. VII conducted the 1st Trainers’ Training on Nutrition Educator’s Kit and Meal Management on May 22-23, 2018 for Batch 1 and May 24-25, 2018 for Batch 2’, respectively at Golden Prince Hotel, Cebu City.
The trainers’ training aimed to (1) strengthen the capacities of the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) and Local Government Unit (LGU) implementers in delivering services DOST-FNRI conducts training on Nutrition Educator’s Kit (NEK) among day care workers, a tool in helping change the mindsets of young children in context to nutrition education; (2) equip the participants with the knowledge and skills on how to use the Nutrition Educator’s Kit; and (3) provide the participants with tips and strategies on how to do meal plan and proper food handling to ensure that food prepared is safe.
A total of 83 daycare workers, City/Municipal/Regional Social Welfare and Development staff attended the training with 43 participants for Batch 1 and 40 for Batch 2.
Day 1 of the training was devoted to Nutrition Educator’s Kit. To start the training, Ms. Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre, Director, DSWD Field Office VII gave welcome and opening remarks. She emphasized that teaching nutrition at an early age can help the children to make healthy food choices. This was followed by lectures on Nutrition Education for Young Children and Nutrition Educator’s Kit: A tool in improving the Knowledge, Attitude and Skills of children on proper nutrition. Dr. Milflor S. Gonzales, Chief Science Research Specialist of DOST-FNRI stressed in her lecture proper techniques in conducting nutrition education for young children while Ms. Idelia G. Glorioso, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST-FNRI highlighted in her talk the different methods of teaching that can be used to increase children’s knowledge on food and nutrition.
For the afternoon session, Ms Jerlyn D. Avilla pointed out the 5Ws and How of the Nutrition Educator’s Kit with corresponding workshop on Mock Nutrition Education Session using the Nutrition Big Books, puzzles, and puppet videos. Ms. Armelinda Danao, free-lance storyteller of Adarna House discussed forms and styles of storytelling and two elements of storytelling-emotions and character. The participants really enjoyed the workshop wherein each group demonstrated topics assigned to them. In the workshop, one member for each group simulated teaching using the big books through storytelling, puzzles, posters, videos.
Day 2 of the training on meal management started with a discussion of the nutritional requirements and recommendations among various age groups. Discussion on the strategies on how to do meal plan and proper food handling to ensure that food prepared is safe were also presented.
The training was composed of seven modules, namely: (1) Basic Nutrition; (2) Meal Planning, (3) Food Buying; (4) Food Storage; (5) Food Preparation; (6) Food Costing; and (6) Food Safety. A workshop on cycle menu planning and food costing was also conducted among the participants and their outputs will help them improve their best practices in their respective offices.
To end the training, Ms. Melinda Demeterio-Cañares, Nutritionist-Dietitian III of DSWD Field Office 7 handed over one set of Nutrition Educator’s Kit for each participant. The Kit can be used in their work and shared with other day care workers.
Roll-out and implementation of nutrition education using the NEK among day care centers is expected to help change the mindset of young children towards practicing healthier habits.
