Crunch&Sip
Crunch&Sip® is a set time in primary schools for students to ‘refuel’ on fruit and salad vegetables and ‘rehydrate’ with water. Students who are not hungry and are well hydrated perform better in the classroom, show increase concentration, and are less likely to be irritable and disruptive. We all know that many students are not eating enough fruit and vegetables.
Crunch&Sip® is not a prescriptive program. Each school chooses a suitable time and way for students to participate in Crunch&Sip® that fits with the school’s timetable. It may suit the school for all classes to have Crunch&Sip® at the same time or for individual teachers to decide when it best suits their class schedule. Plus, individual teachers may decide to have Crunch&Sip® while students continue on with their work, or stop work and hold a Crunch&Sip® specific activity inside or outside of the classroom. Whatever works!
Implementing Crunch&Sip® in your school is a simple two step process. Start by completing the Expression of Interest Form to receive your FREE School Resource Pack. Then, implement the program in your school and complete the School Implementation Checklist to be recognised as a Crunch&Sip® school. The goal is to have the entire school participating in Crunch&Sip®.
What teachers are saying about Crunch&Sip:
“It’s well worth the time it takes to have Crunch&Sip®, to improve students’ concentration for the remainder of the morning”
“Crunch&Sip® is having an impact on students’ learning and making a difference to children’s lunchboxes, which now often contain much healthier options”
“Some classes were already having a fruit break. Having Crunch&Sip® gave consistency across the whole school”
“We were concerned at the amount of processed foods students were consuming. To encourage healthier eating habits, the school introduced Crunch&Sip®. The outcomes have demonstrated the positive and life-changing influences that we, as teachers, can have upon our students.”
“Crunch&Sip® started fairly slowly, although as people started to see the benefits it increased”
Healthy Kids works with Ministry of Health personnel in local health districts to support schools in implementing Crunch&Sip®.
Additional Resources
Download newsletter snippets by clicking here (updated January 2014).
You can access an electronic version of the Curriculum Materials that are in the Crunch&Sip® School Resource Pack here.
There are also Interactive Whiteboard activities that you might like to use during Crunch&Sip® or at other times.
Other resources that are developed from time to time are sent to key contacts at participating schools. Drop us an email to update your contact details or sign up to our quarterly e-newsletter.
For more information contact:
Clare Knight, Crunch&Sip® Program Officer, at Healthy Kids Association
P: 02 9876 1300 or 1300 724 850 outside Sydney
