What are Rainbow Workshops?
Our magical Rainbow Workshops are approximately 50 mns long, and are suitable for 2-6 year olds. The workshop, run by the Rainbow Fairy (either Tash or Suze) includes props from the show for primary schools (Dr FREG and the FRUIT and VEGETABLE MYSTERIES), but will also focus around touch, taste and song activities and games that are more appropriate to the age group. The workshop introduces young children to the concept of the ‘Rainbow Diet’, 5-a-day, and portion size with visual aids and real and artificial fruit and veg. The young audience is also taught how specific fruit and veg are good for their bodies, in very simple terms, and are allowed to handle the food during various activities designed to get them tasting the food without realising it. Children will be munching on their cauliflower florets and celery sticks before your very eyes! Bubbles (to remind children of the rainbow they need to eat daily) and stickers (because all children love stickers) are also techniques we use to reinforce the information. Letters go home to parents all about what their children have learnt about (so they understand why their 3 yo is running around shouting ‘Germbuster!’ whilst brandishing a kiwi), and the words of the three songs from the workshop (I Know Why It’s Yum, Mum! copyright) so that they can sing them together (and they usually do, for months afterwards!)
Where are they held and how do I book one?
If you are considering booking a workshop for your nursery, pre-school, playgroup, or NCT group/ group of friends, please email me at info@iknowwhyitsyummum.com so that we can discuss your specific requirements, because the workshop will be tailored to your needs. In particular, we will need information on the number of children, number of staff/helpers, languages spoken and any allergies. We will select season specific fruit and vegetables as far as possible. Workshops are £60 per workshop from Sept 2019 (£55 per workshop since 2015).
Community Rainbow Workshops (open to all)
We run Rainbow Workshops that are open to all at various locations. Cost is around £5-8 per child, depending on venue. With permission from Ealing Council, I also run occasional Rainbow Workshops ‘on the plot’, at Ascott Allotments (Ealing). Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Cost is £8 per child (age 3 up), and only one adult can accompany each child. No younger siblings allowed due to health and safety.
CDs, POSTERS, PARTIES, FAIRIES!
Our newly released CD is available to buy as a download or CD- 20 songs, all about the nutritional benefits of fruit and veg for little people in bite size chunks 🙂
Posters..I have sourced FRUIT and VEG posters with lots of nutritional information tailored to inquisitive young minds. I use these in all my workshops, so children often love having their own set of the Rainbow Fairy’s posters at home, and parents love them as they can answer all the questions that follow a workshop about what is good for what!? £2.50 each. I can drop them off if you are local, or you can pick one up at a Rainbow Workshop. I now offer Rainbow Workshop birthday parties, and they are proving very popular, and not just among parents who are thrilled to have found a party with a health benefit- the children love them too! Birthday boy or girl will get a set as a gift 🙂
Fairies..The Linen Parade makes these beautiful keepsake Rainbow Fairies for us, so if your little princess (or prince!) would like one please go to www.facebook.com/thelinenparade and ask Becci Eccles for a YUMMUM 15% discount 🙂
A bit of tutti frutti feedback..
“I just wanted to make sure I passed on how fabulous my colleagues thought you and your workshops were! I have had such wonderful feedback and I can’t wait to hear about it and carry it on next week. Thank you! We will definitely be booking again!Thank you so much!” Stephanie Turner, EYFS teacher, Hollickwood Primary School, Barnet
“I have booked the Rainbow Fairy to run several of her magical fruit and veg workshops and parties for my charges. The nannies and children always fall under her spell, she has a way of removing the ‘fear’ factor from veg, by tickling children with a giant runner bean for example, and the food games are such fun that even very fussy eaters often engage (and eat!) things their carers can’t believe (raw cabbage moustaches..!). As a social enterprise, I Know Why It’s Yum, Mum! achieves incredible results on a not-for-profit budget. I would recommend Natasha’s workshops to any nursery.” Paula Vekony, Asquith Nanny Trainer and Nanny of the Year 2013
” The rainbow workshops are brilliant! All our children loved them and it’s given us a good base to talk about the importance of fruit and veg and why we should be eating our 5 a day. Having seen how engaged and interested all our children were, (even the most reticent took part) I would happily have paid twice the price for our sessions..” Ruth, Playgroup Manager, South Ealing Playgroup
“Natasha Gavin (aka Rainbow Fairy) came to both Little Cherubs Nursery Schools and her workshop was much enjoyed and beneficial both to parents and our pupils. She made tasting fruit and vegetables fun and exciting and since the workshops I have been told by the parents that the children are much more adventurous in trying out new fruit and veg as they know why these are good for them! A real must for any school.” Mylene Colvin, Principal, Little Cherubs Nursery School, Kensington
“When I found out about the Rainbow workshop coming to my area I was keen to take my 3 year old along. As a nutritionist specialising in weaning and children’s diets I often talk to parents about making food and mealtimes positive happy events, especially if they have a fussy eater. I Know Why Its Yum, Mum actually puts this message into practice, making fruit and veggies seem fun rather than a chore. I was amazed to see my son chewing on a raw bean and we will be trying out carrot snakes at home! I will definitely be recommending Natasha to my son’s nursery and other parents.” Julia Wolman, Nutritionist www.teenytummies.com
“I would rate this workshop 10/10. You put so much effort into them and the children loved them” Charlotte, South Ealing Playgroup