March is National Nutrition Month.
What a great time of the year to help children learn about the importance of proper nutrition with lots of fun fruits and vegetables coming into season!
Many of our local fruit and vegetable product stands will be opening up selling local produce. It's a great time to support not only our local economy but to provide an educational & healthy experience for our Pre-K classes.
Stop by one of your local produce stands and ask them about bringing your students over for a classroom field trip. Let them know the class is learning more about National Nutrition Month! If transportation is an issue for your program, ask the produce stand owner to visit the classroom so your students can learn more about the different types of fruits and vegetables grown in your community and their importance to living a heart healthy lifestyle. I would also ask the owner if they could bring an assortment of fruits and vegetable they sell so children can feel, smell, prepare and taste the fruits of the labor (no pun intended)!
A map list of authorized Markets and Farm Stands in South Carolina.
Below are a variety of Nutritional websites offering developmental milestone expectations for children when it comes to eating habits, kitchen and classroom cooking activities, games for children, living active lifestyles and food pyramid guidelines specific for Pre-K learners.
We all know children model everything we do.....this includes our diet practices!
Not only are you a role model for behaviors, personalities and learning practices, but the foods you eat will also be modeled by them. This PDF file below shares why and how educators can be positive role models when it comes to the foods we eat.
A great visual aid for children....this link through mypyramid.gov gives your students the chance to input their personal data (weight, age and activity level) to receive a print out of the amount of foods their body needs to live healthy everyday!
South Carolina has several nutritional curriculum programs for preschool age children. Below are links of several agencies that can help either provide curriculum trainings for eductors and/or visit the class in helping bring awareness to good nutrition practices for our students.
If you are interested in learning more about Color Me Healthy, contact Christine Patrick at patric2@clemson.edu or call 803-245-2661 ext 112
http://www.colormehealthy.com/professional/index.html (Official Color Me Healthy Site)
South Carolina's DSS program offers the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The program helps provide support to child care centers to make sure children are receiving quality nutritious meals and snacks.
Eat Smart Move More South Carolina
A great website that has one specific section just for preschool programs being served in South Carolina. This nonprofit program offers lesson plans and community support programs specific to ecouraging healthy living practices in South Carolina!
Healthy Foods Informational site for parents and children.
And finally.......There's a Party in My Tummy!
