Kid in the Kitchen

The goal of the Kids in the Kitchen initiative, which is supported by the Association of Junior Leagues International, is to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues.  Inspired by the Junior League of Calgary's Junior Chefs program, the Kids in the Kitchen initiative began in 2006 with the goal of engaging kids in the preparation of healthy meals as a means to educate them and their parents regarding nutrition and healthy choices.  Over 215 Leagues in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States conducted the Kids in the Kitchen program in their communities in 2009.  

The Junior League of McAllen takes its Kids in the Kitchen program into all of the McAllen ISD elementary schools with summer open gym.  At each school, volunteers demonstrate healthy snack making and fun exercise.  The Association of Junior Leagues International provides materials to support the success of these educational and motivational activities and supports the program with a website, www.kidsinthekitchen.org.

From June 17, 2010 through June 25, 2010, Kids in the Kitchen was held on five different days at five different elementary campuses: Alvarez, Bonham, Crockett, Gonzalez and Milam.  Participants had the opportunity to get active through dance instruction, learned to create healthy snacks, and participated in arts and crafts activities.  Community figures such as the RGV Vipers, the RGV Killer Bees, and H-E-Buddy taught kids about healthy eating and exercise. Nutritionists from Doctor's Hospital at Renaissance were on hand to offer advice as well. Each student received goodie bags with items that will help them recreate some of the nutritious recipes at home, as well as remind them of the wonderful time they had. 

Safe Sitter

Safe Sitter® is a medically accurate babysitting preparation program designed for 11 to 13 year olds. The competency-based, interactive curriculum was written by a pediatrician and teaches safe and nurturing child care techniques.

The Safe Sitter® course includes babysitting as a business, babysitting ethics (such as when it's okay to cancel or refuse a babysitting job), how to care for a choking infant or child, personal safety, how to care for children (diapering, holding an infant, feeding, entertaining), injury prevention, basic first aid, preventing problem behavior, and behavior management. The program also includes infant and child CPR.

Teaching methodology includes hands-on manikin practice, small group interaction, role-playing, games, and discussion. Students must pass a written and practical exam proving mastery of key concepts.  To ensure high quality, a low ratio of students to instructors is maintained.