Quick Start: Promoting Water

Water is the best drink for children in out-of-school time programs. It is calorie free, hydrates children, and is low-cost! Serve water at every snack, and make sure it is available throughout the program day. Encourage children to drink water whenever they are thirsty.

Do not serve sugar-sweetened beverages (like soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and fruit-ades) during your programs; these drinks provide a lot of sugar and calories that children's bodies don't need. Children do not need sport and energy drinks because most sports drinks are designed for endurance athletes who exercise for hours at high intensity. They contain lots of sugar and calories.

Here are some simple ways to get started promoting water at your program:

• Refer to the Environmental Standards for the current scientific evidence that forms the basis for all the OSNAP nutrition and physical activity goals
• Check out the Water Tip Sheet and Quick Guide for ideas on how to engage staff and children in drinking water at your program every day
• Try out Unit 10 from Food & Fun After School for some activities to help you encourage kids to drink water!
• Use Food & Fun After School Parent Materials to communicate with families about drinking water
• Fill out the 2-minute Program Assessment to gauge how closely your program environment and practices align to the environmental standards
• Work as a team to create an Action Plan with goals and action steps for promoting water with practices and policies at your program
• Set written Policies to clearly lay out your program rules for promoting water