Leap for Health (LEAP stands for Literacy, Eating and Activity for Preschool/Primary) was developed through a collaboration of the Kentucky Department of Education, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The Fleming County Family and Consumer Sciences program implemented this program within one of the elementary schools in the county. This LEAP session was hosted within the pre-K and Kindergarten grade levels. The University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program (NEP) offers specific curriculum to go along with each children’s book. Joey the Kangaroo was chosen for this session. This book challenges kids to get their bodies moving and Joey talks them through on how to do it.

Many families in Kentucky want their children to get at least the recommended amount of physical activity a day and to eat a variety of nutritious foods. However, this can sometimes be a difficult task. Participants who experienced LEAP learned about the importance of physical exercise and eating fruits and vegetables. The importance of how these foods can give you nourishment to grow strong was a focus for our session.

As part of this session, a demonstration on how to build a delicious strawberry banana smoothie using the recipe from the University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program was taught. We talked about the different components of a smoothie and how they can be a fun way to incorporate a variety of nutrients and minerals into your diet. The LEAP for Health curriculum promotes and reinforces positive health-related changes not only through direct involvement with children during the lessons but also through newsletters that have been developed for children’s caregivers.

The survey revealed that one of the participants struggled to try new foods but after her first LEAP session, she tried three smoothie samples and loved them. Her teacher and parents were thrilled to hear this and as a result, took the recipe to try at home.