Brush Those Teeth

About 1 of 5 (20%) children aged 5 to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth (CDC). With poor oral health issues on the rise, educators in Russell County sought out ways to help make the children in their classrooms healthier.  The Russell County Cooperative Extension Service Nutrition Education Program assistant collaborated with the Russell County Elementary school teachers to offer the LEAP (Literacy, Eating and Activity for the Primary/Preschool) curriculum to teach preschoolers about the importance of brushing their teeth. 

The Nutrition Education Program assistant taught monthly lessons, for six months, with 12 preschool groups in Russell County reading stories that encouraged proper oral health, physical fitness, correct hand washing and healthy eating by picking more fruits and vegetables.  During the program, the children listened to stories such as “Clarabella’s Teeth”, Joey the Kangaroo, and “Germs Are Not for Sharing” to help them relate to the topic at hand. Each lesson included physical activity and sampling a healthy snack food. Almost all (98%) of the children gained knowledge on the correct way to wash hands and how to brush their teeth.  Teachers reported that 85% of the children incorporated more physical activity in their day while at school. One teacher shared, “The children love your stories and can’t wait to see what snack you will bring”.