Resources
Body Blocks
Body Blocks
Body Blocks by Embrace Kids is a groundbreaking new program for early childhood educators that aims to prevent body image issues in young people by getting in early with messages of body appreciation.
It’s the world’s first publicly available, broadly disseminated body image program for early childhood educators, and empowers young children to develop positive relationships with food, movement and their bodies from the very beginning of their lives.
As an early childhood educator, you’re in the perfect position to help build the foundations of this relationship and set your kids up for life. So let’s get started!
What is included in the FREE program
- Seven short self-paced online professional learning video modules
- A video of 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt reading her children’s book, Embrace Your Body
- A digital version of the “Embrace” song by Pevan & Sarah feat. Taryn Brumfitt
- Body Blocks resource pack
Why Body Blocks?
Helping early learners build a positive relationship with:
Food
Food is fabulous! Talking about food in a positive, non-judgemental way – not only to kids, but also to the adults around them – makes a big difference.
Movement
Running, jumping,
skipping… it feels good to move our bodies! We should move our bodies for fun, not for punishment or to ‘burn off’ food.
Their body
By focusing on what our bodies can do, rather than what they look like, we can build body appreciation and protect against appearance pressures.
Engaging, evidence-based resources for early childhood educators
Body Blocks by Embrace Kids draws on evidence-based practices and expert input to address the unique needs of children aged 0 to 8. Research shows that children aged 3-5 have already internalised ideas about bodies and appearance (Spiel, Paxton, Yager, 2013). It’s a concerning thought given that children who are worried about their bodies at this early age are more likely to engage in disordered eating or have mental health issues later in life.
The program was developed by paediatric dietitian Dr Lyza Norton and a team of body image experts based on the latest research, including the research that informed the Confident Body, Confident Child program led by Dr Laura Hart from The University of Melbourne.
Watch the seven Body Blocks modules (30min)
Supporting resources
Taryn reads ‘Embrace Your Body!'
Body Blocks book list
Body Blocks educator workbook
Lessons: Several
Cool.Org activity guides
Body Blocks toolkit
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