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Project ME: A Mindful Eating and Culinary Training Program for Day Care Foodservice Personnel

8/9/2017

Because getting young children to eat the right kinds of food can be challenging, the Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management is working with Community Services of West Alabama to help ensure that preschool children eat the healthy meals offered in the Head Start Program. Dr. Linda Knol, associate professor in the Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management, recently conducted a two day training for day care foodservice providers using a culinary nutrition program purposed for those working in a preschool setting. The goal of this training was to equip these workers with improved culinary skills and the nutritional knowledge needed to make healthy meals that young children will enjoy.

The program teaches foodservice personnel how to alter recipes to increase the use of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lower fat milks while decreasing saturated fat and sodium. They also learn ways to make the food more appealing and palatable to children. The program offers suggestions based on the Smarter Lunchrooms Initiative, which uses behavioral economics research to improve children’s food and beverage choices. Lastly, the program offers mindful eating strategies using principles from the successful Home Sweet Home Childhood Obesity Prevention Program,which was tested with families of Alabama children attending Head Start.

The project was sponsored with generous funding by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.

HDFS Assistant Professor in China

6/5/2017

Dr. Cecile Komara traveled to China as an invited guest instructor for Shanghai Normal University, Tianhua College. She spent a week teaching Preschool Education program students about preschool children's mathematical thinking and progression. She also taught on the way children learn under different teaching approaches using math games. She gave a presentation on her research to both Preschool Education and Elementary Education students. The faculty also attended these sessions as well as a faculty section of preschool mathematics. Dr. Komara's research interests are Early Childhood Curriculum Approaches, Pre-kindergarten Mathematics, Social Skills of Young Children, and Technology and Teacher Preparation.

This trip is part of a two-year exchange program agreement between Shanghai Normal University, Tianhua College and the College of Human Environmental Sciences. This agreement has allowed the Department of Human Development of Family Studies to train educators from China in early childhood development and research. The department has hosted a summer institute for 25 teachers and administrators from Shanghai and our faculty have mentored these teachers during the academic year for the last four semesters. HDFS faculty who travel to China present classes in early childhood development, research in the discipline, early childhood curricula, and program administration and evaluation.

This relationship has been valuable to both institutions, providing opportunities for cultural enhancement, international friendships, and research collaborations. Dr. Komara is the second of our faculty to make the trip. Dr. April Kendrick traveled there in March of this year.

2017 Tee Time Fashion Show

4/26/2017

Apparel and Design students showcased their creativity and resourcefulness in the 2017 Tee Time Fashion Show that was held April 19th on the front lawn of Doster Hall. While the show typically involves sophomore students in the Apparel Production course, it is open to all apparel design majors who want to participate.

Students are asked to create one or two looks that focus on a mix of sustainable design using alternative materials or knit jersey fabrics. This year's show featured a number of re-purposed denim fabrics, bridesmaid dresses and, for those old enough to remember them, Laura Ashley dresses.

"It's basically an opportunity for sophomore and junior students to get outside the box," said fashion instructor Paula Robinson.

Brian Taylor, an instructor in apparel and design added, “It is an opportunity for the students to experience showcasing their designs to the public and going through the production of a fashion show."

"It helps them not be afraid to get out in front of people," Robinson said. "And every artist and designer is always afraid to get out and do that."

Hero to Our Heroes

4/18/2017

Picture of Carroll Tingle with Kathi Wales

Carroll Tingle (L) & Kathi Wales

Dr. Carroll Tingle, chair of the Human Development and Family Studies department at the College of Human Environmental Sciences, received the “Hero to our Heroes” Thank You Award from Jefferson State Community College on Thursday, April 6, 2017. The award was given for her work to provide a pathway for JSCC Child Development Students to continue their education, for support of the JSCC Program, and for her great example.

Kathi Wales, Jefferson State Child Development Program Coordinator, said “Prior to UA creating this educational avenue, our students were 'dead in the water' when they completed their associate degree with us and some of them really wanted to continue their education. So we approached several universities about the critical need and UA came through thanks to Carroll’s efforts and the faculty at the time who agreed to do it."

"There are really no words of gratitude adequate to thank her and UA. Now other colleges and universities have followed but UA opened the door first. Carroll has been an advocate for our program not only in opening the door but she faithfully attended our advisory meetings, answered a ton of my questions, offered assistance when we went through our first accreditation and our re-accreditation. She spoke with peer reviewers about our program each time.”

Congratulations Dr. Tingle on this well-deserved honor!

A Spring Break in Service To Others

3/28/2017

Not every college student heads to the beach for a week of fun in the sun during spring break. Some, like HES junior Sandy Gautier, instead use their break in service to others. In this case, the General Studies major took the opportunity to be part of an International Service Learning Global Health team and serve along with other global health volunteers and pre-dental students to set up free health care clinics in Nicaragua. These global health teams are able to provide a variety of general medicine, nursing, pharmacy and nutrition services in developing countries.

On her first day in Nicaragua, Sandy and her team members went door to door in the community informing families of the free clinic, conducting home visits, and assessing living conditions. The next three days were spent working in the free clinic where Sandy, who is on a pre-physician's assistant track, helped interview patients, fill out medical records and patient histories, take vital signs, and perform physical examinations on all the patients. Working alongside a doctor and a dentist with practices in Nicaragua, she was able to sit in and assist during the diagnosis and treatment process. She also visited a local public hospital and was able to watch multiple surgeries in the operating room.

Sandy's goal, upon her graduation in May 2018, is to attend a Physician's Assistant school. The hands-on experience she gained while on this trip will not only provide her with life-long memories but will give her an edge in her chosen field.