I have recommended this course to every teacher I’ve met in the last month, simply put I think it’s the best course I’ve ever done. The content was so interesting providing just the right amount of information whilst not being overly scientific or technical. The tone of the course was positive and encouraging. Appropriate links were made between what was being taught and how our new learning could be applied in the classroom and whole school. I will be referring to the information regularly and revisiting the content.
Laura – School Principal - Roscommon
I really enjoyed this course. Each module was presented in a very clear concise fashion. I feel very enthusiastic and well prepared to include lessons on the importance of a healthy Wholefood diet during the next school year. There was plenty of child friendly printables on each topic, that I can easily imagine using in my class.
Jane - Wicklow
I found this course excellent and really informative . It gave excellent , child-friendly ideas to implement in my classroom . The course was well laid out and interesting to participate in , thank you so much.
Michelle - Mayo
Includes free module on Restorative Practice
Food for Thought – Special Food for Special Children
This nutrition course will demonstrate the consequences of food choices on concentration, behaviour and medical conditions. Gain an understanding of Autism, Aspergers, ADD, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Coeliac disease, Asthma, Eczema, Psoriasis and Allergies. Learn the links with nutrition for each condition. Explore nutrition and brain development in school children. How can better nutrition lead to improved academic success in class?
You will be provided with imaginative, creative ways to promote and support nutrition and health, involving games, ICT, real world examples, real life practical recipes and tools. These tools will challenge children to reflect and think about what they eat and how their choices affect them. Allowances and awareness will be made of special needs, special dietary needs and cultural needs. You will be encouraged look to your own health and nutrition and ideally involve the whole school in this consciousness.
Join us this summer and let’s give our schools some food for thought!
All courses are approved for EPV days.
Course Aims
Learn how to help children recognise how their food choices are affecting their concentration, attention, behaviour, memory and growth. Gain knowledge of the main medical conditions that affect concentration and behaviour; Autism, Aspergers, ADD, ADHD, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Learn about nutrition for children with atopic conditions – asthma, eczema, psoriasis and allergies. Understand how Coeliac disease affects children – memory, concentration, growth.
Learn tools to encourage better choices for children with additional support for anxious children. Acquire an understanding of how food choices have good and bad impact on concentration, attention, behaviour, memory and growth.
Develop awareness of how nutrition affects concentration. Explore classroom displays and focus on top 10 charts, good and bad. Learn about nutrition and brain development. How can better nutrition lead to improved academic success in your class?
Explore and learn how to teach the connection between sleep, stress and brain function. You will be given interactive methods to introduce brain food to children in class.
Learning Outcomes
Module 1
Create opportunities to help participants and children recognise how food choices affect concentration and behaviour.
Top 10 foods that boost concentration.
Top 10 foods that hinder concentration.
Demonstration charts for the classroom.
Module 2
Knowledge of the main medical conditions that affect concentration – Autism, Aspergers, ADD, ADHD, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia.
Explore and teach impact of good and bad food choices.
Strategies for encouraging new food choices with anxious children.
Understand how external stimuli e.g. chemicals, smells can impact behaviour.
Classroom tools.
Module 3
Knowledge of nutrition for children with atopic conditions – asthma, eczema, psoriasis and allergies.
Understand connection with digestive health.
Explore and teach impact of good and bad food choices.
Understand connection with poor concentration.
Classroom tools.
Module 4
Understanding Coeliac disease and how it affects memory, concentration, and growth.
Best diet practices, fresh foods versus gluten free products.
Understanding the adverse effects of too many gluten free products.
Understanding of need for a colourful diet.
Interactive and simple ways to implement learning into the classroom.
Module 5
Nutrition and brain development in school children.
How can better nutrition lead to improved academic success in the class?
Best nutrients for the brain and what foods you will find them in.
Food versus supplements. Which is better? Which is easier?
Becoming aware of the connection between sleep, stress and brain function.
Understanding foods for developmental stages of a child’s brain.
Interactive ways to introduce brain food to the classroom.
Carina Kennedy
Course Author
Carina is a naturopath, herbalist, nutritional therapist, iridologist, reflexologist, reiki practitioner and qualified nurse. Having experienced health problems herself, Carina’s goal is to show as many people as is possible that they can take control of their health and nutrition with a little guidance. Carina runs a holistic clinic in Mayo. She also holds workshops and is currently writing a series of books on nutrition for children.