Goal
Teach limited-resource children in West Virginia fun ways to increase their knowledge and practice of basic nutrition and physical activity.
Objectives
- Use interactive teaching methods to create fun, exciting and hands-on learning environments
- Educate 3rd, 4th and 5th graders from schools with a 50% or greater free and reduced lunch participation
- Target limited-resource youth ages 9-12 in a variety of community settings for summer activities
- Utilize research-based curriculum designed in a series of lessons based upon the USDA’s MyPyramid for Kids and Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Projects
School-Year: FNP Nutrition Outreach Instructors work with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in eligible elementary schools throughout WV. The fun and interactive Show Me Nutrition curriculum developed by the University of Missouri Extension Service is used in a series of lessons over a 7-12 week period for each classroom. Short, informational elements are combined with games, hands-on activities and food demonstrations to help the children build enthusiasm and excitement for good food choices and increased physical activity.
Summer: FNP summer activities take place in a variety of community settings, including residential summer camps, summer school programs, library programs, park programs and more. The Healthy Camp Challenge curriculum developed by West Virginia University Extension Service includes educational segments which are focused on physical activity and non-competitive games, with easy healthful take home messages. Lessons can take place in a single setting each day, or be divided into small teaching segments incorporated throughout the day. Interactivity, positive reinforcement and fun are the keys to increasing children’s knowledge of healthy food choices and physical activity.
Success Stories
- “The funniest thing about being a youth nutrition outreach instructor is going to the grocery store. I have to watch what I want to buy because I’m almost always likely to see a child whom I’ve worked with who recognizes me. I’ve had so many children and their parents check out what’s in my cart to see if I have nutritious items. It also often happens that a child will run across aisles calling me “the nutrition lady” and then say something to their parents such as “Mommy, the nutrition lady says we should buy broccoli!” and they often do!”
- “Some of the best teaching experiences I’ve had take place when I have a supportive teacher with which to partner. I can tell you about one teacher who really participated with my class. When I first came into the classroom, there was a bowl of candy on the teacher’s desk. And there was usually a large pop on her desk from a fast food restaurant where she had been to lunch. As I began my lessons, this teacher regularly joined in with the children for the lessons. By the third week, I noticed the pops had been replaced by a bottle of water. By the 6th week, I noticed the bowl of candy had disappeared. More importantly, the teacher began talking about the ideas I brought to class during the week while I was gone. I could immediately tell the children were very excited to tell me what they remembered from last week. In the end this teacher even incorporated a reward system for the classroom which included the opportunity to take laps around the school walkway. I feel that this teacher has taken the lessons from my teaching and really created a positive environment in her classroom. It’s so great to see that what I do can result in good changes.”
- “In a 5th grade class I was working with there was one girl who sat near the back of the room. She was overweight and really hesitated to answer questions or participate in the activities. I tried to be sure to include her without putting her on the spot. The third week she did something amazing. She answered a question. But that wasn’t the best part of it, she finished her answer with a big smile. From that point forward she really began to participate. She wanted to answer questions and she was eager to tell me how she had stopped watching TV in the afternoons and had begun to go outside with her brother afterschool. I recently stopped by that school and made a point to talk to her teacher. She told me that girl had stopped bringing junk food in her lunches and begun to play with the other kids on the playground. She had noticed that she looked as if she’d lost some weight. I could not have loved my job any more at that moment. Knowing I can make a difference for some of these children makes me want to get up early to head to work every day.”
