This summer, communities across South Dakota will be serving free meals to children, to ensure good nutrition and growth. The USDA Summer Meals Programs works with the South Dakota Department of Education, Child and Adult Nutrition Services office to make sure that when school lets out children are well-nourished throughout the summer.
National School Lunch Week is October 14–18, 2019. During National School Lunch Week, schools around the country celebrate all of the ways a school lunch can positively affect a child’s life, both at school and at home.
What your child drinks is just as important as the food they eat each day. Recently, new recommendations were released to help parents and caregivers navigate this important time for children.
![Two young girls enjoying healthy snacks after school. Courtesy: Bob Nichols, USDA [CC BY 2.0].](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/2019-11/W-00442-00-school-healthy-snacks-nutrition.jpg?h=3fe45f0e&itok=lMqjv37_)
The At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program is a part of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) that focuses on getting children a nutritious meal after the bell rings. For some, this may fill the gap that may occur from lunch that day until the next morning at breakfast.
The USDA has approved the serving of food in South Dakota at school sites and non-congregate settings while public schools remain closed during the COVID-19 outbreak. Different communities throughout the state are using programs to provide meals to kids that may not have access to food while school is closed.
Nationally, more than 60 percent of households are dual income, resulting in an increased need for early childhood education programming.
Kids are tough, but how can we teach them to become resilient and recover from the difficulties they will face during their childhood? Learn some tips to help children build resilience during difficult times.
South Dakota and many of our neighboring states experience natural disasters and agricultural family stress. While we know this can cause added stress on adults and parents, don’t forget to visit with your children of all ages and help them cope with the added stress and changes in their routine.
As we are all going through these times of change and uncertainty, remember to talk to your child or children in your care and don’t just avoid the behaviors.
Movement and unstructured activity help increase memory, perception, attention, emotion and basic decision making. Incorporate play into your daily routine to improve your health while making memories with your kids!