Teaching Nutrition A TEACHING RESOURCE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS Rachel Kingdon, Shenae Olden, Skye Ryan and Makeeli Watt

Index  Introduction Introduction  What can you do as a teacher? What can you do as a teacher?  What is a healthy lunch? What is a healthy lunch?  Soil Sam Soil Sam  Resources Resources  Vegetable Rhyme for Children Vegetable Rhyme for Children  References References Click the apple at any time to return to this index page

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. 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.) 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 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 Agriculture in the Classroom. (2013) Exploring Seeds. Retrieved from Organic Learning. (2013, January 16). Vegetable Song for Kids [Video file]. Retrieved from All pictures retrieved from Clip Art.