Spider Snack Success March 2024

Nutrition and physical activity are important for children to live a healthy lifestyle.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that children eat fewer fruits and vegetables than the recommended daily amount.  To aid in helping with the problem, the Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant at the Nelson County Cooperative Extension Office taught a weekly, 1 hour program to a group of 25 kindergarteners at Foster Heights Elementary using the Literacy, Eating, and Activity Preschool/Primary (LEAP) curriculum.   During each of the 6 lessons that were taught, a different health-related children’s book was read, an activity was implemented to reinforce the message and a healthy recipe was made so the students could sample. Also, to reinforce the message at home, 150 newsletters that included recipes and nutrition education were given to the students.

All 20 students who completed the LEAP Program showed improvement in their ability to choose healthy foods and 18 of those same students showed improvement in the knowledge of physical activity.  One student who was extremely reluctant to try any new foods, became very curious with each lesson. Finally, in the final lesson, the student tried and loved the healthy recipe (spider bites) that was provided!  The student stated “Are you proud of me for trying a spider bite?   It’s my new favorite!”