Breakfast pilot program indicates a great boost for learning and well-being

Student’s enrolled in Buk bilong Pikinini’s (BbP) Early Childhood Education program are currently in the process of sitting their final and second progressive test before graduating in December. At one Library Learning Centre (LLC), the BbP Monitoring and Evaluation’s team is closely watching what the test results may show.

As part of BbP’s newly launched Nutrition Education program, the organisation has been trialling a breakfast program in partnership with Sanitarium, Market 2000 and the Australian Export Consortia, which seeks to measure the impact on learning after having had a fibre-rich and nutrition rich breakfast before starting class. The initial trial has been running since September and will go until graduation 2024 and another longer trial will run from January to June 2025.

Early monitoring is already showing a positive impact. Each day, the students are receiving a breakfast of Weet-Bix cereal served with oat-milk before class.

Martin Tawaheyana, BbP’s Monitoring & Evaluation, and Programs Coordinator observes: “Beyond the physical benefits of a healthy breakfast, the impact of the Sanitarium Breakfast Project is starting to show within the classroom environment. Teachers have noted a marked improvement in the children’s attentiveness and alertness following breakfast. This increased focus is contributing to higher levels of engagement and participation across various classroom activities. Many children, who were previously more reserved are now actively involved, showcasing greater energy and interest in learning. Teachers attribute this positive shift to the sustained nutrition provided by the breakfast program, which seems to be enhancing the students’ ability to concentrate and retain information.”

Furthermore, the project is fostering a sense of community among the students. The Weet-Bix and oat milk breakfast items were initially unfamiliar to some but the children are gradually embracing and adapting to the taste, showing a noticeable enthusiasm during breakfast-time.

Sharing breakfast together has become a bonding experience, where children can connect with one another and with their teachers in a relaxed setting before the formal school day begins. This shared time promotes an inclusive environment, reinforcing a sense of belonging and friendship that carries into the classroom. As a result of this absenteeism is now also very low.

Martin Tawaheyana went on to say: “One particularly heart-warming aspect of the project’s impact has been observing the children’s reactions each morning as breakfast is served with assistance from the Parent’s Group. The sight of their smiles and the excitement in their eyes is a testament to how much they look forward to this part of their day. This positive anticipation highlights the success of the project in making breakfast not only accessible but also enjoyable for the children.”

The BbP Nutrition Program is seeking to support students and parents to become “nutritionally literate” and appreciate the importance of healthy foods for learning and well-being. A picture book and a nutrition activity and guide book has been published in 2024 thanks to a partnership with Trukai Industries. The program will be fully implemented across all BbP’s LLCs in the 2025 academic year.

Buk bilong Pikinini’s published Nutrition Education text books are available for purchase from Theodist and directly from Buk bilong Pikinini’s office and webshop: https://bukbilongpikinini.charity/