Implementation of “Healthy choices’’ (SoI-GR-584)

Author: Stavrakaki Vasiliki

School/Organization: Kindergarten of Livadia

Abstract/Introduction

During the year, we were given many occasions to talk to the children about healthy eating and how it contributes to their physical development and health in general. Nutrition in childhood has been proven to determine healthy development and at the same time affect health in adulthood. An effort is being made for preschool children to acquire the necessary knowledge to make conscious healthy nutritional choices that they will maintain as they grow up. The eating habits are determined now and it is the right period of time to introduce the foundations of a proper diet. As adults, it is important to talk to children about healthy eating and good health and encourage children to eat a balanced diet.

The learning scenario “Healthy choices” was applied to preschool children precisely for the above reasons, as part of our actions for the development of healthy eating habits and lifestyle in children. Working on healthy eating we read Eric Carle’s well-known fairy tale ‘A Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and used the suggested resources from Europeana to talk to the children about healthy and unhealthy food choices. The children show a keen interest in nutritional issues because many discussions and activities have taken place in our class on these issues. The book recommended to talk to the children about the topic was very popular with the children and the activities contributed to the development of healthy food choices.

Presentation of the book “A very hungry caterpillar”

The children discovered the book in our classroom library. The book was placed in our library that day and with its beautiful illustrations, it attracted the interest of the children, who brought it to the plenary for us to read. After reading it with undiminished attention, we discussed its messages. The children concluded that foods helped the caterpillar grow and develop into a butterfly, so it is important for them to eat a variety of foods to grow. They also understood that the caterpillar’s unhealthy choices led it to unpleasant outcomes, while making healthy choices made it feel better. So, we’ve found that it’s important not just to eat, but to make good choices about what to eat, how much and when, so that what we eat benefits us. Reading the book and the discussion that followed gave us the opportunity to talk and do a lot of activities about healthy and unhealthy foods.  (observe the book)

Healthy and unhealthy foods

After the transformation of the hungry caterpillar into a butterfly, we saw two galleries in Europeana, with healthy and unhealthy foods respectively (Healthy food,  Healthy eating).

The children identified the foods in the galleries, said if they eat them and how often, and chose the most healthy and unhealthy foods. With all of the above in mind, they were given two cardboard, promotional flyers and two emojis, one sad and one happy. The children were divided into two groups and made a collage of healthy foods and one of unhealthy foods that was placed in our classroom to remind us of what we discussed. (healthy unhealthy foods)

The food pyramid and nutritional games

After the very constructive discussion, where the children expressed their opinions and reached important conclusions about nutrition, we studied the pyramid of the Mediterranean diet, so that what we had discussed above became clearer (what is good to consume, in what quantities and when). The pyramid and the digital games that followed helped us with this. Some children from the group took it upon themselves to describe to us the foods that were on each level of the pyramid and to make assumptions about how often these foods should be eaten. We then categorized the groups by giving each food group a name (e.g. fruits, grains, dairy).

To better consolidate the knowledge gained, the children played digital games from the “photodentro” educational platform, which were designed exactly for what we discussed and the children really liked. The games were as follows:

https://photodentro.edu.gr/v/item/ds/8521/3685

https://photodentro.edu.gr/v/item/ds/8521/3564

(pyramid, digital game, meals program)

Evaluation

After learning several useful things, we decided to put the knowledge we acquired into practice. So, we made a healthy snack in our classroom with healthy and local products. We have tried to make our snack have foods from many food groups and be tasty, so that children understand that we can eat healthy and still enjoy what we eat. After many ideas from the children and their parents we decided to make a savory cheesecake. The children enjoyed both the process and the end result. Finally, the children played another photo tree game to consolidate the knowledge they had acquired (https://photodentro.edu.gr/v/item/ds/8521/3488)

 (healthy eating, preparation, cheesecake)

Outcomes 

Nutrition is a subject that I really like to work on in the classroom with the children, but they also really like it. The results of our discussions and the teaching of healthy and unhealthy foods can be seen immediately, both in their diet and in the conversations between them. This particular scenario excited them and attracted their interest. They happily responded to the discussions and activities that followed. They loved the story and digital games in the photodentro and enjoyed creating the healthy and unhealthy food collage. But what they enjoyed most of all was making and eating the savory cheesecake. As for me, I am very happy when I see children learning new things that help them form a correct understanding of everyday issues and apply them. As we said above, in preschool age the foundations of a correct and balanced diet are laid and it is important that children acquire correct eating habits. So, I find it very beneficial to discuss such issues in the classroom and try to influence children positively towards a healthier lifestyle and diet.

Link to the learning scenario implemented: Healthy choices

Do you want to discover more stories of implementation? Click here.

CC BY-SA 3.0: the featured image used to illustrate this article has been found on Europeana and has been provided by the Local Government Management Agency.