Playing, Learning, and Growing Fun Food Activities that Reinforce Health Messages. Connie Evers, MS, RD, LD Child Nutrition Consultant/Author

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1 Playing, Learning, and Growing Fun Food Activities that Reinforce Health Messages Connie Evers, MS, RD, LD Child Nutrition Consultant/Author

2 Preview of NEW Care Connection Nutrition Education Lessons Today s webinar is based on the nutrition education lessons from the new CARE Connection curriculum developed by the National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI). The lessons are divided into four basic categories. Examples of lessons from each category will be presented. We will also cover some basics of child development and goals of early childhood nutrition education.

3 Your work is important! Child care providers have a unique opportunity to help shape the health environment of children. Food-related habits, healthy lifestyle behaviors and relationships which influence future health are established at an early age.

4 Nutrition Education in Early Childhood Learning about food and nutrition happens primarily at meal and snack time. Always role model healthy eating habits. Introduce children to some simple, basic principles of nutrition through hands-on, experiential activities. FUN is the primary ingredient for teaching healthy habits to young children!

5 Understanding Child Development Toddlers (12 months 3 years) Becoming his/her own person Developing verbal skills May be reluctant to try new things May become frustrated easily, short attention span Growth slows (compared to infancy)

6 Understanding Child Development Preschoolers (ages 3 6) Becoming more cooperative More willing to try new things Developing other relationships Want to help with tasks Growth (and appetite) may come in "spurts"

7 Nutrition Education Connection Lessons Cooking Connection Craft Connection Learning Connection Music, Movement, and Play Connection Each module has six lessons and/or resource sheets. An introductory sheet includes tips on planning, organizing, and creating nutrition education lesson kits.

8 Cooking Connection Banana Pops (Fruit) Smashed Potato Faces (Vegetables) Little Red Hen Bread (Grains) Yummy PB Hummus (Meat & Beans) Moo Juice Smoothies (Milk) Wrap it Up (Combination)

9 Cooking With Young Children Food-based activities are ideal for children because all senses are stimulated. Make it fun and enjoyable. Food activities are a good way to introduce children to new foods prior to serving them at meals or snacks. Include follow-up activities and simple recipes to try at home.

10 Examples of cooking skills Stir Measure & dump Rinse and tear lettuce leaves Squeeze lemons Break bananas into chunks for fruit salad Help rinse berries Mash beans with a potato masher

11 Sanitation and Safety Always ask parents about food allergies and/or food intolerances before a cooking activity. Adjust recipes as needed to accommodate any special needs. Clean and sanitize the table where the children will work. Make sure all children wash their hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before beginning the activity. Do not allow children to use sharp objects such as knives, skewers, graters, or peelers. Only adults should operate appliances such as microwaves, stoves, or blenders. When it comes to food, discourage sharing!

12 You will need: Cooking Connection: Yummy PB Hummus 1 can garbanzo beans (15.5 ounces), rinsed and drained 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter* 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (squeezed from 1 fresh lemon) 1/3 cup warm water 1 teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon salt (optional) Potato masher Large non-breakable mixing bowl Clean work surface and hands *If a child in the group has a peanut allergy, substitute tahini (sesame paste) for the peanut butter.

13 Directions: Cooking Connection: Yummy PB Hummus In advance, rinse and drain the garbanzo beans. Begin by showing the children the garbanzo beans and then placing them in the bottom of a large non-breakable mixing bowl. Cut a lemon in half and allow the children to take turns squeezing the lemon juice into a bowl. Begin mashing the beans using the potato masher. Allow each child a turn mashing the beans. Gradually add the remaining ingredients and continue to mash until the mixture is blended and smooth. Serve with raw vegetables or crackers, or spread on pita bread.

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15 Craft Connection Children are encouraged to play, create, and cooperate as they participate in six fun craft activities. A Rainbow of Flavors Seeds to Veggies My Food and Play Book Food Puppet Fun Hop Aboard the Food Train Growing and Changing

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17 Craft Connection: A Rainbow of Flavors

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20 Craft Connection: A Rainbow of Flavors

21 Craft Connection: Growing and Changing

22 Learning Connection Just about any early education concept can be learned through FOOD. When children engage all of their senses, they learn in a meaningful and memorable way. Shapes, letters, math concepts, science, and multicultural education are all highlighted in this series of lessons.

23 Learning Connection Dividing and Sharing Eating my ABC's Foods from Many Places The Many Shapes of Food Counting in the Kitchen The Many Forms of Food

24 Learning Connection: Counting in the Kitchen

25 Learning Connection: Counting in the Kitchen Yogurt Sundae 1. Give each child 1 portion (1/2 cup) of yogurt in a bowl. 2. Next, ask children to take 2 spoons (teaspoons) of crushed cereal or granola and sprinkle it on the yogurt. 3. Add 3 slices of bananas. 4. Add 4 slices of strawberries. 5. Add 5 mandarin orange segments. Encourage the children to arrange the fruit in a pattern if they wish. Serve immediately at snack time.

26 Learning Connection: Foods from Many Places

27 Music, Movement, and Play Connection Lessons: Food Games Food Group Run-Around Walking, Talking, and Learning Resource Sheets: Creating an Active, Healthy Play Environment Guidelines for Childhood Play and Activity Music with a Food-Based Message

28 Music, Movement, and Play Connection: Food Games Veggie, Veggie Fruit (or Fruit, Fruit, Veggie) Salad Game Jump Rope Rhymes: Make up your own food-based jump rope rhymes or use one of the following, modified to promote good nutrition: Fred the Farmer, dressed in green, Went to the garden to pick some beans. How many green beans did he pick? (count how many jumps the child can complete without missing)

29 Music, Movement, and Play Connection: Walking, Talking and Learning

30 Music, Movement, and Play Connection: Sing Along Make up your own healthy songs with the help of the children in your care. Use common tunes such as Row, Row, Row your boat, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Mary had a Little Lamb, or The Wheels on the Bus Breakfast helps to start your brain. Have some milk, fruit, eggs, and grains. When you wake up, eat some food. You will feel strong and good. Every morning, start out right. Eating healthy keeps you bright. (sing to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star )

31 Music, Movement, and Play Connection: Sing Along We always have a lot of fun, lot of fun, lot of fun. We always have a lot of fun when we can move and run. Climb and hop and skip and play, skip and play, skip and play, Climb and hop and skip and play today and every day! (sing to the tune of Mary had a Little Lamb )

32 Creating Nutrition Education Lesson Kits Canvas Tote Bags Clear stacking containers Label with the name of the lesson Include lesson plan, book, non-perishable items used to teach the lesson, and a note card that details any needed food, equipment, or other items.

33 Lesson Kit Example #1 The Many Shapes of Food (from the Learning Connection series): - Lesson Plan - Book: Eberts, M. and Gisler, M. (1984). Pancakes, Crackers, and Pizza A Book About Shapes. Children s Press. - Common household objects that can be used as cookie cutters such as plastic building blocks or plastic toys that can be sanitized, plastic cups, or cookie cutters in a variety of shapes - Note card with additional items needed: cheese slices, whole grain crackers, round slices of fruit, and star fruit for snack - Blank pad and pencil to make notes regarding future ideas and follow-up activities

34 Lesson Kit Example #2 Little Red Hen Bread (from the Cooking Connection series): - Lesson Plan - Book: The Little Red Hen - Dried Wheat Kernels - Dried Wheat stalks - Sealed bag with whole wheat flour - Note card with additional items needed: bread dough, baking sheet, and waxed paper - Blank pad and pencil to make notes regarding future ideas and follow-up activities

35 Involve Kids Every Day! Shopping Cooking Gardening Moving

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37 Upcoming Web-Based Seminars: Using Children s s Storybooks as a Basis for Nutrition Education March 31 st, 3 PM CST Creating an Active, Healthy Environment April 14, 3 PM CST All materials will be available at

38 Questions?