Preschool Nutrition Education Curriculum Goal Preschoolers will establish healthy eating and physical activity habits. Objectives Preschoolers will: Recognize MyPlate and know that it is a guide to healthy eating Identify foods Know that they need physical activity every day Know when and how to appropriately wash their hands 1
History of Development History of Development Developed a curriculum Simple, easy to use Field-tested Very successful with children, parents, teachers, and staff Then Came My Pyramid! 2
Needed Revisions Looked simple at first Adding MyPyramid Vertical instead of shelves New colors on MyPyramid conflicted with the three colors Complicated the simplicity of concepts Developed New Story Booklet Modified the format Added MyPyramid Changed the colors Added hand washing Added teacher information Then Came MyPlate! 3
Current Revisions Adapt the concept to MyPlate Update the graphics Update the food models Added a poster Developed Version III of the Storybook Modified the format Added MyPlate Updated the graphics Strengthened the physical activity message Concept Based on MyPlate and Dietary Guidelines Simplifies MyPlate for preschoolers Uses 3 food categories instead of 5 Each of the categories corresponds to the effect of the foods on the body 4
Concept Go Foods Contains the Grains Group Foods that provide the body with energy Help me run, jump, and play all day Glow Foods Concept Contains the Fruits and Vegetables Groups Foods that provide the body with vitamins and minerals to keep the body healthy and functioning Make my hair shine and my eyes sparkle Grow Foods Concept Contains the Protein and Dairy Groups Foods that help the body grow and develop strong bones and muscles Help me grow bigger and stronger 5
Other Curriculum Concepts Physical Activity - Teaches the importance of daily exercise. - Emphasizes that exercise is fun. - Move your body when you play. Other Curriculum Concepts Hand Washing - Teaches the importance of proper hand washing. - Children learn when and how to wash their hands. - Wash, wash, wash my hands; Wash them nice and clean; Scrub them here and scrub them there, and scrub them in between. How the Curriculum is Presented Simple, fun, and easy to use Appropriate for 3 5 year olds Engages the children in meaningful active learning Hands-on and interactive Repetitive messages 6
Curriculum Components Story booklet, one per classroom Teacher curriculum 6 lessons Parent letter and recipe Food models Supporting poster Each Lesson Includes: Lesson Objective 2 nutrition or physical activity objectives To Do List Includes any required prep work Lesson Overview A brief overview of the lesson activities and outcomes Teacher Background More detailed information on nutrition and physical activity concepts Each Lesson Includes: Read the Booklet Gives specific information for reading and re-reading the booklet Activities 2 activities per lesson, to be taught in the order presented, require the children to move Snack A nutritious and easy to prepare snack to be done with the children 7
Each Lesson Includes: Review Questions to ask the children that reinforce the lesson content Parent Letter and Recipe Reproducible letter in English and Spanish and a recipe to make at home Evaluation Educator evaluation to be returned to UC CalFresh at the end of the year Food Models Simple pictures of foods How to Present the Curriculum Preschool setting Can be adapted to informal settings Designed to present ALL 6 lessons Can be done daily, weekly, or monthly Read the storybook Do the activities Strong parent components Lesson 1 Overview Objectives: Identify the concepts and terminology of foods Make the connection between healthy foods and a healthy body 8
Read the Booklet 9
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Activity 1 Food Cube Activity 2 Fill the Plate Classroom Recipe 12
Review the Lesson Parent Letter and Recipe Lesson 2 Go Foods Objectives: Know that foods give them energy Know that foods come from the Grains Group Identify two or more foods 13
Read the Booklet (Pages 6 & 7) Activity 1 Making Pretzels Activity 2 Go With Music 14
Lesson 3 Glow Foods Objectives: Know that foods make my hair shine and my eyes sparkle Know that foods come from the Fruit and Vegetable Groups Identify two or more foods Read the Booklet (pages 8 & 9) Activity 1 Missing Glow Foods 15
Activity 2 Jump and Wiggle Lesson 4 Grow Foods Objectives: Know that foods help them grow bigger and stronger Know that foods come from the Protein and Dairy Groups Identify two or more foods Read the Booklet (pages 10 & 11) 16
Activity 1 Growing Inch by Inch Activity 2 Ring Around the Grow Foods Lesson 5 On the Move Objectives: Identify at least one activity they can do to exercise their body Recognize that exercise keeps them healthy and strong Know that you move your body when you play 17
Read the Booklet (page 12 & 13) Activity 1 My Plate Maze Activity 2 Trip to the Market 18
Lesson 6 Hand Washing Objectives: Know the importance of diligent hand washing Identify at least one activity that they should wash their hands before or after Read the Booklet (page 14 & 15) Activity 1 Germs Are Everywhere! 19
Activity 2 The Way We Wash Questions and Answers Acknowledgement page EDITOR: Sharon K. Junge, UCCE Emeritus AUTHORS: Sharon K. Junge, UCCE Emeritus; Rosemary Carter, Youth UC CalFresh Program Manager; Amy Netemeyer, Youth UC CalFresh Program Representative; and Juliana Raskauskas, PhD. LAYOUT AND DESIGN: Sharon K. Junge, Frank Garrels, and Annette Cosgrove SPANISH TRANSLATIONS: Myriam Grajales-Hall, ANR News and Outreach in Spanish PILOT COUNTIES: San Diego, San Joaquin, Shasta, Placer, and Nevada Counties REVIEW TEAM: Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr, PhD, UC Davis Department of Nutrition; Karrie Heneman, PhD, UC Davis Department of Nutrition; Susan Donohue, County Director, UCCE Butte County; Anna Martin, NFCS Advisor, UCCE San Joaquin County; Elizabeth Gong, Program Representative, UCCE Santa Clara County; Sara Candelaria, Youth UC CalFresh Coordinator, UCCE Fresno County ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Team Nutrition USDA for the development of the booklet and permission to use the complimentary graphics for this curriculum. Graphics of the children are from Laura Strickand at www.mycutegraphics.com. 20