Nutrition
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The purpose of this component is to ensure that children are provided with food which will help meet their nutritional needs, and to educate staff and parents about the relationship of nutrition to children's ability to learn, physical development and mental development.

Mealtimes provide opportunities for sharing, teaching and socializing. The ultimate goal is to empower children and parents to develop or enhance nutritional eating habits that will be maintained following the children's Aboriginal Head Start experience.

Aboriginal Head Start centers will:

1. provide children with the essential nutrients they require to grow, develop and be active;
2. feed children appropriate for the period of time each day that they are at the Centre;
3. meet the children's nutritional needs by using the Aboriginal Food Guide , which is comparable to the Canada Food Guide and respects local traditions and customs; and
4. provide children and parents with opportunities to learn about and further develop nutritious and healthy eating habits.