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To coincide with the start of Children’s Week 2009, Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney launched a resource kit to assist Aboriginal parents with the importance of good nutrition and ongoing health requirements for their young children.

The nutrition resource kit: Strong Babies - Solid Start Taste Bubs, was developed by the Meerilinga Young Children’s Foundation Inc (Meerilinga) in consultation with Aboriginal families and health professionals across Western Australia.

The kit will be used by Department for Communities’ Best Start coordinators and community health care workers and consists of an educational DVD, facilitators manual, information on childhood healthy eating habits and visual flipcharts.

“Consultations held recently with Aboriginal families in Broome, Port Hedland, Albany and Kalgoorlie-Boulder found many parents did not have access to culturally appropriate education on the nutritional needs of infants transitioning from breastfeeding to solid foods,” Mrs McSweeney said.

“Good nutrition is the key to ensuring a child has the best start to life and I am pleased this new kit will help explain healthy food choices to Aboriginal parents while recognising the cultural and nutritional value of incorporating local foods into a child’s diet.

“I believe this new resource kit will provide culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal families needing support in the early stages of their child’s development.

Children’s Week runs from October 23 to November 1 and officially opens with a Family FunSafe Day, organised by Meerilinga, at Whiteman Park on October 25. The event marks one of 200 activities happening across the State to celebrate the right of children to enjoy their childhood.

To access more information about Department for Communities supported Children’s Week activities visit http://www.meerilinga.org.au or phone 9489 4022.