Dongshin University, 'Colorful Garden Playground Program' Receives Positive Response

Operated for 5 Months at Naju Children's and Social Welfare Meal Center
Long-term Project for Children's Healthy Eating Habits Experience

The Naju City Children and Social Welfare Meal Management Support Center (Director: No Hee-kyung, Professor of Food and Nutrition at Dongshin University), operated under consignment by the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Dongshin University, ran a long-term experiential project called the "Colorful Garden Playground" program from April to August, which gained great popularity for promoting healthy eating habits among children.

As a result of first-come, first-served registration targeting children's meal facilities within Naju City, about 160 children from 8 institutions participated. In April, children planted and cared for crops such as potatoes in the garden; in June, they engaged in art activities drawing "My Own Garden" and harvested crops; and in August, they attended low-sugar, low-salt cooking classes using garden produce.

By growing crops directly in the daycare garden and experiencing art and cooking classes, children became more familiar with vegetables, which was evaluated to have a preventive effect on picky eating.

The Naju City Children and Social Welfare Meal Management Support Center plans to award drawings of "My Own Garden" created by children who participated in the garden program, with certificates and prizes to be provided later.

Director No Hee-kyung stated, "This program, conducted in connection with the Jeonnam Food Education Network, is expected to help improve children's picky eating habits and support their growth and development," adding, "We will continue to operate various programs so that children can naturally become familiar with vegetables and develop healthy eating habits."