The annual campaign encourages early years practitioners to focus on children’ s health and wellbeing.
NDNA said this year’s theme ‘encapsulates the essence of growing and thriving’, not just physically but also in relation to the emotional, social and cognitive areas of a child’s development.
The organisation's early years advisers have developed a week of play and learning based activities that acknowledge the importance of early childhood experiences and the significant role that practitioners have in a child’s development.
The campaign also recognises the vital importance of the home learning environment and includes resources to support families with ways ‘to emphasise relaxation, connection and joy in the context of a relaxed and playful home environment.’
NDNA said the activities aim to form a bridge between nursery and home, fostering a collaborative approach to each child’s growth.
Each of the Healthy Body, Happy Me activities in ‘Off We Grow’ are intended to enhance connections between adult and child, whether in the context of play, sharing stories, cuddling in a cosy corner or involved with a parent at home.
Specific activities for each day next week include:
- Monday – Respond to me
- Tuesday – Play with me
- Wednesday – Tell stories with me
- Thursday – Curiosity and me
- Friday – Relax with me (home learning)
NDNA’s chief executive Purnima Tanuku said, ‘Interaction with children is crucial to a young child’s growth and development and play is such an important activity for having fun while learning and fostering vital connections. Our early years experts have created an action-packed week-long resource guide to support practitioners.
‘We look forward to the Healthy Body Happy Me campaign beginning next week and hope to see many nurseries taking part and can’t wait to see people sharing their stories with us.’
Healthy Body, Happy Me resources can be found at www.ndna.org.uk/healthy
Settings are encouraged to share their healthy habits with parents, carers and NDNA throughout the week using the #HealthyBodyHappyMe.
