Students in the Early Childhood Education program at Buk Bilong Pikinini (BbP) joined athletes in celebrating Universal Children's Day just recently with focus on exercise and nutrition for good cognitive development. In order to emphasize the value of children's rights, their well-being, and the necessity of elevating their voices for a better future, this year's theme was "Nurturing Futures through Nutrition and Fitness." Launched in September of this year, the BbP Nutrition Education Program aims to help parents and kids become "nutritionally literate" and recognize the value of eating a balanced diet for learning and overall health. Exercise is a vital component of a child's health and learning capacity, because it fosters both cognitive and physical development, exercise is essential for the brain development of young children. The brain is extremely malleable in the early years, making it especially responsive to experiences and stimuli; therefore, frequent exercise promotes the development of brain connections necessary for memory, learning, and general cognitive function. Children who walk more have higher blood flow to the brain, which helps carry nutrients and oxygen that are essential for a healthy brain development. BBP also welcomed Trukai Industries Ltd. brand ambassadors Florence Daple and William Darius Moaina from East Street Fitness to lead a fitness challenge session for the kids enrolled at the Vabukori Library Learning Center. Darius highlighted how fitness and nutrition go hand in hand in shaping happy and healthy children, reinforcing the theme of the day. At BbP’s UPNG Library Learning Centre athletes Lera Kose (Karate), Rayleen Bauelua (PNG Women’s Soccer team), Kele Lessy (PNG Mens Touch Football team) and Mickey Tamarua (PNG Olympic Committee programs coordinator) spoke to the children about the types of food they eat to power their athletic efforts for maximum performance. They also had fun with the children going through a very professional obstacle course for lots of fun drill exercises and games. BbP is grateful to Ryan Pini for assisting with the organization of this. In order to have lots of energy available for their sessions BbP and Deloitte volunteers Ethelynne Bundu, Roselyn Owen, Stephanie Potoi, Gau Arua, Alice Makati, Adrian Neroggai, and Nellie Makamet had prepared healthy rainbow of fruit snacks and water for the active children. Parents participated in an engaging Nutrition Information session with BbP’s Nutrition Education Officer, Leo Khim, learning how to plan simple, practical ways to provide nutritious meals to fuel their learning in the classroom and sports activities. Through a collaboration with Trukai Industries, a picture book and a nutrition exercise and guidebook were also released in 2024. In the academic year 2025, the program will be fully implemented across all of BbP's LLCs. Buk bilong Pikinini’s published Nutrition Education text books are available for purchase from Theodist and directly from Buk bilong Pikinini’s office and webshop: https://bukbilongpikinini.charity/