Universal Children’s Day celebration with a focus on nutrition and exercise
Student’s enrolled in Buk bilong Pikinini’s (BbP) Early Childhood Education program have this week celebrated Universal Children’s Day with athletes. This year’s theme is “Nurturing Futures through Nutrition and Fitness” and is celebrated to highlight the importance of children's rights, their wellbeing, and the need to amplify their voices for a brighter future.
The BbP Nutrition Education Program launched in September this year, is seeking to support students and parents to become “nutritionally literate” and appreciate the importance of healthy foods for learning and well-being. An important aspect of child well-being and the ability to learn is exercise.
Exercise plays a critical role in early childhood brain development by promoting both cognitive and physical growth. During the early years, the brain is highly plastic, meaning it is particularly receptive to stimuli and experiences. Regular physical activity supports the formation of neural connections that are essential for learning, memory, and overall cognitive function.
When children engage in movement, it increases blood flow to the brain, which in turn helps deliver oxygen and nutrients necessary for healthy brain development.
We invited William Darius Moaina and Florence Daple from East Street Fitness, and brand Ambassadors for Trukai Industries to run a fitness challenge session with children enrolled at our Vabukori Library Learning Centre.
The children were full of energy and enthusiasm as they learned the importance of staying active for a strong, healthy future. Darius highlighted how fitness and nutrition go hand in hand in shaping happy and healthy children, reinforcing the theme of the day.
At BbP’s UPNG Library Learning Centre athletes Lera Kose (Karate), Rayleen Bauelua (PNG Women’s Soccer team), Kele Lessy (PNG Mens Touch Football team) and Mickey Tamarua (PNG Olympic Committee programs coordinator) spoke to the children about the types of food they eat to power their athletic efforts for maximum performance. They also had fun with the children going through a very professional obstacle course for lots of fun drill exercises and games. BbP is grateful to Ryan Pini for assisting with the organisation of this.
In order to have lots of energy available for their sessions BbP and Deloitte volunteers Ethelynne Bundu, Roselyn Owen, Stephanie Potoi, Gau Arua, Alice Makati, Adrian Neroggai, and Nellie Makamet had prepared healthy rainbow of fruit snacks and peanuts for the children.
Parents participated in an engaging Nutrition Information session with BbP’s Nutrition Education Officer, Leo Khim, learning how to plan simple, practical ways to provide nutritious meals to fuels their learning in the classroom and sports activities.
A picture book and a nutrition activity and guide book has been published in 2024 thanks to a partnership with Trukai Industries. The program will be fully implemented across all BbP’s LLCs in the 2025 academic year.
Buk bilong Pikinini’s published Nutrition Education text books are available for purchase from Theodist and directly from Buk bilong Pikinini’s office and webshop: https://bukbilongpikinini.charity/
Contact:
Mary Sawa, BbP PR & Marketing
Email: mary.sawa@bukbilongpikinini.org
