PICNIC in Supported Playgroups

What is PICNIC in Supported Playgroups?

PICNIC in Supported Playgroups is a free online child feeding and nutrition education program for Supported Playgroup facilitators and support staff. Co-designed by PICNIC dietitians and social justice professionals, it builds on the core PICNIC program with added content tailored to support diverse families.

What does the program involve?

The program includes four 30-minute self-directed learning modules featuring videos, text, reflective questions, references, and practical tools. Topics include:

• Starting solids and learning to eat
• Fussy eating and food caution
• Parent and child feeding roles
• Australian Dietary Guidelines and meal routines
• Cultural considerations for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and CALD families
• Trauma-informed nutrition and food security
• Feeding considerations for neurodivergent children

Benefits

Participants will gain up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge to help create positive mealtime environments and reduce stress for families from diverse backgrounds.

Evaluation Research

This initiative is being evaluated through the NSW Health HETI Rural Research Capacity Building Program, exploring facilitators’ experiences, perspectives, and support needs in promoting healthy child feeding practices among priority populations.

Interested or Based Outside the Mid North Coast?

We welcome expressions of interest from Supported Playgroup facilitators outside of the Mid North Coast. If you have any questions or would like more information, please email Rachel.gerathy@health.nsw.gov.au