Description:

For New Zealand tamariki, a balanced diet is essential for their life journey. From the development of healthy bones and muscles to cognitive development, energy levels and many other functions, a healthy diet is the cornerstone of a healthy life.

Research into poor nutrition's effect on education produced two significant themes. Firstly, there is a lack of accessible nutritional information tailored to parents, who play an essential role in our children's diets. Parents are significant in this process, from preparing meals to educating children about diet decisions. Secondly, resources available to adults and children are often inaccessible due to the complex content and scientific jargon. Both factors inhibit parents and tamariki from independently enhancing their education around a healthy diet and its significance to their lives. This project addresses these barriers by providing resources accessible to children and adults alike to promote better education and, ultimately, better diet choices.

The Mighty Bite is an educational resource, comprising two information booklets; one designed for children and a supporting parental guide. The former follows Koa on his journey to school, where he encounters various essential nutrients personified as unique characters. Each nutrient introduces itself, explaining its importance and role in Koas diet. The playful narrative entertains and reinforces fundamental nutritional concepts that resonate with readers. The tone is light-hearted and interactive, fostering a sense of adventure and curiosity about nutrition, integrating everyday experiences and relatable scenarios. The Mighty Bite encourages children to understand the importance of a balanced diet. The parental guide mirrors the structure of the children's book, providing detailed information suitable for older readers. Each section includes an introduction, recommended intake, food source, and health benefits. The sections are succinct, accompanied by infographics and pull quotes, designed to enhance understanding and interest without the inaccessible language and complexity.

Both books foster collaborative learning for whanau, providing step-by-step guidance in an approachable and enjoyable manner. Featuring captivating, lively characters with each page turned, unique nutrients are represented by bold, distinctive characters encapsulating the structure of the nutrient, while the hand-crafted texture reflects the food groups they inhabit. Designed to symbolize the unique benefits of each nutrient, they educate and entertain. This tailored design ensures that the resources are informative, visually appealing, and approachable to all. Combining educational and nutritional content with imaginative storytelling and visuals creates an experience that encourages tamariki to explore the world of nutrition with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Touchpoints, including a lunchbox, stickers, and a tote bag, accompany The Mighty Bite. These integrate the importance of diet into daily life, facilitating engagement. Ultimately, the pack provides an accessible, tangible resource for adults and children. Its simplicity and design mean it can be distributed in contexts such as classrooms, medical centers, and the home. The ability to pick up the resources in these contexts means New Zealanders can easily update their knowledge and ability to enjoy a healthy diet.