Professional Development & Parfaits: Creating Connections at the Cooking Matters Trainer Retreat
On March 16th, 2023, AL Healthy Kids, Healthy Future hosted a Trainer Retreat at the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama for trainers implementing Cooking Matters for Child Care Professionals, a professional development program focused on creating positive nutrition experiences in early care and education settings. Through Cooking Matters for Child Care Professionals, early childhood educators learn how to serve healthy meals and snacks, create positive mealtime experiences, and plan fun cooking activities in the classrooms.
During the Trainer Retreat, trainers and AL HKHF staff discussed ways to improve how the program is shared across the state, with trainers providing detailed feedback on the Cooking Matters training materials. Trainers had the opportunity to discuss their successes and challenges when it comes to providing professional development on child nutrition, which included insights on hosting and leading cooking demonstrations with educators. The discussions held at this event have not only improved how AL HKHF staff provides technical assistance and support to trainers but helped to strengthen the connections between trainers and AL HKHF staff.
Within the Cooking Matters curriculum, hands-on cooking demonstrations and food preparation activities are an important component of creating enriching nutritional experiences for young children. After discussions regarding implementation took place, the trainers and AL HKHF staff completed two cooking demonstrations, creating yogurt parfaits and English muffin pizzas for everyone to enjoy. Trainers received Cooking Matters materials to continue implementation, as well as additional supplies to support their work.
Trainers have continued to offer Cooking Matters trainings in a variety of ways, expanding the content into new trainings to meet the needs of the early childhood educators they serve. Over 350 early childhood educators have participated in a Cooking Matters for Child Care Professionals training in Alabama, equipping them with the tools to serve healthy meals and snacks, lead cooking demonstrations, and create positive mealtimes in their program.
In addition to Cooking Matters for Child Care Professionals, Cooking Matters provides resources and guidance for caregivers and families to develop cooking skills, shop for nutritious foods on a budget, and more. Learn more by visiting the Cooking Matters website.
