What is MEND 2-4?

MEND - Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do It!

Developed by experts in child health, the MEND 2-4 Programme is our course for parents or carers with children aged 2 to 4. Whatever the child’s weight, it offers a fun and creative environment for families to learn how to make healthier lifestyle choices and ensure their children have the best possible start in life.

Each lasting 90 minutes, MEND 2-4’s ten weekly sessions combine parent-toddler active play, parent discussion groups and children’s crèche-style creative play activities. They take place during the daytime at community venues such as leisure centres and Sure Start Children’s Centres.

MEND 2-4 helps to encourage young children to try new things and shows parents creative ways to get their children to taste and enjoy different fruits, vegetables and other healthy snacks. If your child is a fussy or ‘picky’ eater, or tends to refuse food it could be particularly helpful to head off problems in the future.

Our active play sessions will give you ideas and tips for games which will keep your child moving and occupied. As well as helping to improve agility, balance and co-ordination, we also work on building their confidence.

The MEND 2-4 Programme is a valuable course but is FREE for families to join, as MEND has secured local, regional and national funding partners to ensure that nobody misses out on this life-changing experience.

You can see if there’s a MEND 2-4 Programme near to you by looking at a map of your local area. If not, we have courses starting all the time, so why not put your name on the list and we’ll get back to you when one starts in your area.

All of our MEND 2-4 Programmes are run by local teams employed by local organisations. If you are interested in finding out more about how to run a Programme in your area, please click here.