Family Support Services Project 

Problem:
Parents with infants and young children need to understand the importance of providing healthy and safe feeding environments for their children.
 
Response:
Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist presented 4 workshops to 53 families enrolled in the agencies involved in the Muscatine County Family Support Services Project. Topics were: Feeding Young Children (14), child care providers received information about how to implement nutrition related activities in the curriculum; Dads are Cookin' (7), Chef Bob (County Extension Education Director) demonstrated a quick snack idea and discussed the importance of dad as a role model in the feeding situation; Super Soups (16), prepared lowfat, quick to prepare soups and discussed food safety. Participants received shallow bowls to encourage proper food storage; and Healthy Snacks for Children (16), parents and children prepared a healthy snack and received a book, Eating the Alphabet.
 
Impact:
The following responses came from the child care providers:
 
1.  What was new or interesting?

• The new food guide pyramid
• Use smaller utensils
• Developmental stages and nutrition 

2.  What are you going to try as a result of this program?

• Serve smaller servings to young children
• More food experiences outside of regular meals and snacks
• Be more willing to let children serve themselves.
• Encourage children to set own limit instead of encouraging to just to eat one more bite or clean your plate
• More positive comments to toddlers at mealtime
• More eating a learning experience

Contact:
Vera Stokes
Nutrition and Health Field Specialist
875 Tanglefoot Lane
Bettendorf, Iowa 52722
Phone 563/359-7577
Email vstokes@iastate.edu