The Region A Partnership for Children: Parents as Teachers office hosted the Family & Consumer Science Extension program for a fun interactive Healthy Holidays Workshop for families of children ages 0-5!

This workshop started out with education on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) which provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.  Jessica Hensley, WIC nutritionist with the Cherokee County Health Department presented this information to participants with take home resources. (If you would like more information about WIC services, please call (828) 837-1244.)

Following this, Monica Matthews,  director of the Region A: Partnership for Children Parents as Teachers Program, educated parents on eating tips and trying new foods. Matthews also provided nutrition information such as answers to frequently asked questions about feeding your child.

FCS Agent, Marlana Baker educated parents and children on MyPlate nutrition from the USDA. Families learned about the 5 food groups and the MyPlate portion guide.

Children had fun as they engaged in food group sorting activities. They learned about fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. The children were asking lots of questions and learning new information through hands-on gross motor and tactile play!

At the end of the workshop, families enjoyed making and trying the delicious healthy holiday snacks provided by the FCS Program!