Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!

Get started free

Healthy Child Project – Start Them Right

SAB

Created on April 1, 2026

Start designing with a free template

Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:

Simulation: How to Act Against Bullying

Mobile Use Simulation

Marketing Strategy Test

College Survival Test

Learning Style Test

Discover Your Professional Path

Cybersecurity Simulation

Transcript

Healthy Child Project – Start Them Right

start

What are we going to learn?

To support you to strengthen the foundations for children in your care. This course is designed to introduce early childhood educators like yourself to the ‘Start Them Right – Healthy Child Project’ and support you to strengthen children’s health, nutrition, and learning. By the end, you will be able to:

Understand the importance of immunisation, nutrition, and play in Jamaica’s context and identify practical ways you and your ECI can best support

Describe Jamaica’s national priorities under the ‘Start Them Right – Healthy Child Project’ and how this links to global goals like Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 - Good Health and Well-Being

Reflect on your current practices and find opportunities to build even stronger foundations for children in your care

Explain why early development forms a critical foundation for lifelong well-being

continue

Modules

Describes the process and pace at which a person acquires a new skill. The clearer and more accessible the information, the faster the progression.

Learning strategy based on small units of content that are consumed quickly. Ideal for reinforcing concepts or learning in a flexible way.

Consists of applying game dynamics (challenges, rewards, levels) in learning environments to increase user motivation and engagement.

1 - Why ‘Starting Them Right’ Is So Important’?

2 - Immunisation

3 - Nutrition

Level of emotional and mental involvement of the user with the content. High engagement improves retention of information and overall course experience.

Feedback received by the user immediately after an activity. Helps correct errors quickly and improves understanding.

4 - Play

5 - Recognition and Outcomes

Module 1

Why ‘Starting Them Right ’ Is So Important

  • Why is early development critical for lifelong well-being?
  • How does early health connect to United Nations SDGs 3 and 4?
  • What are Jamaica’s priorities in supporting healthy childhood development?

continue

Early childhood investments uphold every child’s right to thrive – and deliver high returns

Every child has the right to survive and thrive. This means growing up healthy, well-nourished, and supported to develop fully from the very start - not just when they reach school.

Average annual returns on investment on high quality preschool and ECD programmes1

Data indicates that attendance at early-learning programs delivers the greatest returns for the poorest children, serving as a “stepping stone” out of poverty

Think about the children in your ECI. What health and nutrition issues have you seen that might affect how they play, learn, or grow?

continue

Care for early development is reflected in UN Sustainable Development Goal 3

UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

“Goal 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages. Health and well-being are important at every stage of one’s life, starting from the beginning. This goal addresses all major health priorities: reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health; communicable and non-communicable diseases; universal health coverage; and access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and vaccines.”

UNICEF’s role in contributing to Goal 3 centres on healthy pregnancies (maternal mortality and skilled birth attendant), healthy childhoods (under-five and neonatal mortality) as well as vaccine coverage. UNICEF also contributes to monitoring elements of the universal health coverage indicator.

continue

The ‘Start them Right- Healthy Child Project’ aims to support young children’s overall health in Jamaica

The ‘Start them Right – Healthy Child Project’ is a partnership between the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health & Wellness (MoHW). It aims to increase awareness and action around three pillars that are essential to a healthy start to achieve:

  1. Increased national awareness of how immunisation, nutrition and play contribute to lifelong wellness
  2. Increased number of students fully immunized at the Early Childhood level

continue

The ‘Start Them Right - Healthy Child Project’ uses several strategies to realise these goals in communities and schools

…sharing simple messages on immunisation, nutrition and play – answering questions like “What can ECPs do? What can parents do?” Highlighting content that is curated for self learning and easy understanding. On Instagram, follow @earlychildhoodcommission and @unicefjamaica

Public awareness campaigns

…including the ECC’s ongoing “Pon di Cawna” series, which train ECC field staff as master trainers to reach more schools and communities.

‘Start Them Right -Healthy Child’ workshops

Immunisation or Child Health Ambassadors

…who are parents, teachers, church members and principals to help spread these messages even more widely

What is your early childhood institution already doing to support children’s health, nutrition, and play? How could the ‘Start Them Right - Healthy Child Project’s’ campaigns, workshops, or resources help strengthen these efforts?

continue

As Early Childhood leaders, you are at the heart of this effort – helping families keep their children vaccinated, well-fed, and engaged through play, so they’re ready to learn and thrive/

Click to reveal

Title

Use this side to give more information about a topic.

Subtitle

continue

Module 2

Immunisation

  • What are the key vaccination milestones for children under 2 years old?
  • Why is improving vaccination coverage in Jamaica is a priority?
  • How can your ECI can support increasing immunisation?

continue

By age 2, the WHO recommends full BCG, Polio, DPT, MMR courses plus boosters

Additional requirements to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’

Basic vaccine requirements at Age 1

Basic vaccine requirements at Age 2

  • BCG (against tuberculosis)
  • 3x Polio shots
  • 3x DPT shots (against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus)
  • Booster Polio shot
  • Booster DPT shot
  • 2nd MMR shot
  • At least 1 MMR shot (against measles, mumps, rubella)

continue

Jamaica’s vaccination schedule starts from birth, continuing to 18 months to protect against disease

The Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Child Health Development passport helps keep track of immunisation

continue

The ‘Start Them Right - Healthy Child Project’ uses several strategies to realise these goals in communities and schools

Children age 12-23 months vaccinated against vaccine-preventable childhood diseases at any time before the survey and by 12 months of age (SDG Indicator 3.8.1)

UNICEF MICS. 2022

Percentage of children aged 12-23 months among interviewed households, n = 7118,

continue

Vaccination in progress

continue

While most children start vaccines, but only 55% complete the full schedule

Children age 24-35 months vaccinated against vaccine-preventable childhood diseases at any time before the survey and by 12 and 24 months of age (depending on vaccine) (SDG Indicator 3.8.1)

Percentage of children aged 24-35 months among interviewed households, n = 7118, 2022;

UNICEF MICS. 2022

continue

Info

You can boost vaccination rates through records, reminders, and community engagement

Use teaching moments - incorporate short stories or play about being healthy and strong to help children see vaccines positively

Remind and encourage parents about upcoming vaccines/missed appointments. Simple conversations can make a big difference

Collaborate with local health centres to organise talks or clinics that make it easier for families to complete the schedule

Keep clear vaccination records for all children enrolled at your ECI Make sure these are updated

Teaching Moments
Remind Parents
Vaccination Records
Health Centres

continue

Module 3

Nutrition

  • Why does good nutrition matter?
  • What is Jamaica’s nutrition context, and why is improving it important?
  • How can your ECI can support improving nutritition?

continue

Good nutrition in early childhood fuels health, learning, and future success

Early childhood (birth – 5 yrs) is a critical period of development and time of rapid growth. Good nutrition during the first 1,000 days provides the building blocks for survival, growth and healthy brain development.Children who receive the right nutrition in the first 1000 days…

  • Are 10x more likely to survive life-threatening illnesses2
  • Complete 4.6 more grades in school3
  • Earn 21% more as adults4

Good nutrition is a child’s right protected under the Convention on the Rights of the Child – every child is entitled to healthy food, clean water, safe environment, and health information.

continue

Child malnutrition in Jamaica is a serious concern requiring immediate attention

Jamaica is faced with a rising triple burden of malnutrition...
…driven by low poor infant nutrition…
…and poor overall diets and sedentary lifestyles
  • Low physical activity / sedentary lifestyles
  • Low fruit and vegetable consumption
  • High consumption of ultra-processed foods (high salt, sugar, unhealthy fats)
  • 33% of babies under 6 months are exclusively breastfed – (below global target of 70% by 2030)8
  • 34% of children aged 6-23 months receive the minimum acceptable diet9
  • 25% of the poorest children meet the standard for a minimum acceptable diet, compared to 54% of the richest10
  • Triple burden: obesity/ overweight, undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies
  • 5.7% of children under 5 are overweight5
  • 30% of adolescents (13–17) are overweight or obese6
  • 4.6% stunting, 3.2% wasting in under-5s7

continue

Good early nutrition includes age-appropriate feeding from birth to 6 years

AVOID: Sugar-sweetened beverages, candy, chips and other foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.

continue

Jamaica’s Food Based Dietary Guidelines

Food groups: (1) Staples (2) Legumes and nuts (3) Food from animals (4) Fats and oils (5) Fruit (6) Vegetables Recommended portions of the 6 Caribbean Food Groups (for ages 2 years and older)

  • Eat a variety of foods from all groups daily
  • Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily
  • Include peas, beans and nuts* (watch children for allergies)
  • Reduce intake of salty and processed foods, unhealthy fats and oils, sugary foods and drinks
  • Include physical activity as part of overall health

Food Based Dietary Guidelines – Ministry of Health & Wellness, Jamaica

continue

How to read a nutrition facts panel Sugar: 4g of sugar = 1 teaspoon Salt: 2,300 mg = 1 teaspoon

continue

You can improve children’s nutrition by sharing practical tips, and increasing access to healthy meals

Share simple nutrition tips (through handouts, during 1:1 conversations, etc.) with parents, like how to make low-cost, high-nutrient meals

Look out for children who often come hungry and work with local health or social services to support the family

Encourage breastfeeding by giving mothers space and support including during drop-off/events

Provide balanced, nutritious meals, using local fruits, vegetables, and staples

Hungry Children
Nutrition Tips
Balanced Meals
Encourage Breastfeeding

continue

Explore nutrition-related lessons and activities

UNICEF The First 1,000 Days of Life Video

UNICEF First Foods Master Class

Link

UNICEF First foods for young children video series for caregivers

List of Meals

continue

Module 4

Play

  • What can play do for children?
  • What are some types of play, and how can play be incorporated in lessons?
  • How can your ECI can support increasing children’s play?

continue

continue

Play is essential an essential component of children’s learning and wellbeing

Play is an accessible way for children to learn
Play improves health and wellbeing
Play is enshrined as a child’s right
  • Regular play with caregivers lowers risk of anxiety, depression, aggression, and sleep issues
  • Recognized in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 31)
  • Celebrated globally: International Day of Play – June 11;
  • Play Day Jamaica – First Tuesday in February
  • Builds creativity, curiosity, motivation, problem-solving, and social skills
  • Develops interest and motivation, keeping children engaged in learning

continue

continue

See more here!

continue

When we encourage play in the early grades, we bring children on board as active participants in their own learning. Whether it’s doing puzzles, playing ring games, telling stories, or playing indoor or outdoor games, these activities all help strengthen children’s thinking, language, and emotional skills.
Visit for more information!

continue

Play starts when we are babies, but it does not stop there! Including play in your child’s daily routine and giving them time to play is important for their development at every age. These stages are general guidelines for what to expect of your child’s play skills, but remember every child is different. If you have concerns, bring them up with your healthcare provider.11
Visit for more information!

continue

"Children learn best through play"

- Dr Rebecca Tortello, Education Specialist, UNICEF Jamaica

Article: Harnessing The Power Of Play With Building Blocks In Jamaica

continue

Do you build in time for your unstructured, imaginative play? What types of play activities do you see your students enjoying the most?

You can foster learning by making play a daily, creative, and connected experience

Learning more about the science behind play

Linking play to nutrition and health lessons, e.g., counting fruits, acting out clinic visits

Using low-cost local materials, e.g., sticks, bottle caps, boxes, to build creativity

Planning daily time for free play and guided playful learning

Sharing simple ideas with parents so play continues at home

Low-cost Materials
Play and Nutrition
Free Play
Home Play

Fill in this survey to showcase the work your ECI is doing in incorporating Play best practices:

continue

Explore play-based lessons and activities

Game-Based & Interactive Learning Activities for Early Years

UNICEF Jamaica Play Suggestions Manual

Link

‘Play Matters’ course

continue

Module 5

Recognition and Outcomes

  • What can your ECI gain from the ‘Start Them Right - Healthy Child’ project and this course?

continue

As part of ‘Start them Right’, ECIs that show strong engagement may be recognized for:

  1. Keeping good immunisation records and ensuring children stay up to date with their immunisations
  2. Rate of staff completion of this online, self-paced course as well as the

UNICEF Play Survey

‘Play Matters’ course

and Block Play Challenge.

**ALL participants who complete this course will receive a certificate recognised by the ECC and, if a qualified teacher, the JTC

Congrats on completing the "Healthy Child Project – Start Them Right" course, provided by UNICEF Jamaica!

continue

Appendix – endnotes for sources

(1) García, J. L., Heckman, J. J., Leaf, D. E., & Prados, M. J. (2017). The life-cycle benefits of an influential early childhood program (No. w22993). National Bureau of Economic Research. (2), (3), (4) UNICEF South Africa – “First 1000 Days: the critical window to ensure that children survive and thrive” (2017) (5) 2021 Global Nutrition Report (6) Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS, Jamaica 2017) (7) 2021 Global Nutrition Report (8), (9), (10) (11) Pathways.org - "How Kids Learn to Play: 6 Stages of Play Development" (2025)

UNICEF MICS 2022

Please review play information.

Go to page

Please review play information.

Go to page

Please review vaccination information.

Go to page

CONSIDER

1. What challenges might families in your community be facing in vaccinating children at the right times? 2. What things are you seeing in your own ECI that could be contributing to early childhood immunisation?

Please review nutrition information.

Go to page

Please review vaccination information.

Go to page

Please review nutrition information.

Go to page

Please review play information.

Go to page

Please review nutrition information.

Go to page

Please review vaccination information.

Go to page

Take this short course and earn a certificate as you gather some new ideas on how to incorporate play in your classrooms.

Jamaica Learning Passport - Play Matters Course

Please review vaccination information.

Go to page