Success Story“LEAP”ing Into Good Health



“LEAP”ing Into Good Health

Author: Ruth Kirk

Planning Unit: Lawrence County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The Principals and Family Resource Youth Service Coordinators (FRYSC) at Louisa East and West Elementary contacted the Lawrence County Extension Office wanting the Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistants to implement Literacy, Eating and Activity with Primary (LEAP) with the students in kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades. The Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant Senior enrolled 188 students.
The LEAP program consisted of a pre-assessment to learn of existing knowledge then six lessons using storybooks on health or nutrition to teach and reinforce healthy behaviors. In each lesson the students would listen to a storybook, participate in an activity, and then was rewarded with a healthy snack pertaining to the story that was read. After each lesson, the parents received a newsletter with tips for family health and fun nutritious recipes. Following a post-assessment, behavioral improvements were as follows: 91% improved in their responses to hand washing, 99% improved in one or more core areas, 77% improved in their responses by identifying dairy.






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