Transcript Teaching Nutrition

Teaching Nutrition
A TEACHING RESOURCE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS
Rachel Kingdon, Shenae Olden, Skye Ryan and Makeeli Watt
Index
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Introduction
What can you do as a teacher?
What is a healthy lunch?
Soil Sam
Resources
Vegetable Rhyme for Children
References
Introduction
It is important for teachers to encourage healthy eating habits in their students.
Food for Thought is an initiative that is helping people understand the importance of childhood
nutrition. Students should be confident in making healthy choices when packing their daily
lunch. There are so many ways you as a teacher can help children understand what it means to
be healthy. The purpose of this power point is to give Teachers an understanding of why
teaching nutrition is important and share some lesson ideas to get you started.
What can you do as a teacher?
Surround children with healthy food messages.
It is important that healthy eating plays a part in all lessons; including the books you read, activities you plan and even
the songs you sing. It is great for children to be exposed to images in the classroom that promote a healthy lifestyle
which is why healthy eating posters are crucial.
Be a good role model.
You as a teacher should also set a good example for children to follow.
You can do this by filling your classroom with healthy food toys and props and by encouraging
children with healthy food rewards instead of junk foods.
What is a healthy lunch?
A healthy lunch should be one that is balanced. A child’s lunch should include:
- Breads and cereals
- Fruits, vegetables and legumes
- Low fat dairy, including milk, cheese or yoghurt
Soil Sam
Get children involved in the growing of food is great way for them to really get involved in the process
of learning to make healthy choices.
Materials:
Knee high stocking
Alfalfa sprout Seeds
Potting soil
Small jar or cup
Water
Decorative eyes
Decorative fabrics
Click here for the directions to this activity
Directions
1. Using a stocking, place some alfalfa sprout seeds in the toe
where you want the grass to grow. The toe of the stocking is the
head of the Soil Sammy and the grass will look like hair when it
grows.
2. Pack a handful of soil in the end of the stocking on top of the
seeds. Make sure the ball of soil is slightly bigger than the opening
of the jar.
3. Tie a knot in the stocking under the ball of soil.
5. Now you can decorate! Suggestions are a round piece of fabric
to fit over the mouth of the jar for a shirt. You can add buttons to
the shirt and eyes on the face and cut out felt for a mouth.
Water as needed and be sure to cut the grass “hair” and style as
desired.
Lesson Extender:
Once your classes alfalfa sprouts have a grown, getting the
4. Completely wet the head of Soil Sammy. Place the top of the
stoking (which is the bottom of the Soil Sammy) in a jar filled with
water making sure the head is above the mouth of the jar. The end
of the stocking will absorb the water to feed the grass seeds, which
will germinate through the stocking. (You may have to cut a few
small holes in the hose to help.)
children involved in an interactive cooking lesson would be very
beneficial. Get children involved in making a healthy salad or
sandwich using their alfalfa sprouts.
Resources
Try reading some of these popular stories in your class:
Jasper McFlea will Not Eat his Tea by Lee Fox
Vegetable Glue by Susan Chandler
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Suess
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Vegetable Rhyme for Children
References
Farmer. (2012, February 1). Who’s your Farmer? Soil Sammy
[Web log post]. Retrieved from http://whosyourfarmer.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/soil-sammy.html
Agriculture in the Classroom. (2013) Exploring Seeds. Retrieved from
http://www.agintheclassroom.org/teacherresources/Lesson%20Booklets/Seeds.pdf
Organic Learning. (2013, January 16). Vegetable Song for Kids
[Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd-2j_1_6vY
All pictures retrieved from Clip Art.