NUTRITION
Head Start children receive nutritional breakfasts, lunches, and snacks using the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences as a guide.
OWCAP Head Starts Nutrition Specialist is involved in providing nutrition services that compliment those of the child's home and community. She also develops menus based on assessing nutrition-related data, family eating patterns, cultural preferences, special dietary requirements for each child, and the special needs of children
Food-related
activities and leisurely meal times provide opportunities for the development
of positive attitudes toward healthy foods; for decision-making, sharing,
communicating with others; and for the development of muscle control and
eye-hand coordination. Children also learn appropriate eating patterns
and meal time behavior when they observe adult behavior at family style
meals.