Learning about nutrition

Debby Kelsey’s first graders at Vandalia Elementary learned about nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices in a unique way — through the words and actions of a singing chef and puppets with their “Yummy for your Tummy” Nutritional program.

The program — a collaboration of Kathee Brown’s A Wish Your Heart Makes and Tulare County Department of Education’s Network for a Healthy California — teaches students nutritional values of food and how to choose fruits and vegetables over snacks high in calories or with no nutritional value.

“We had been doing nutritional education in the classrooms, lecture style,” said Nani Rowland, project coordinator for TCOE’s Network for a Healthy California, school health programs. “We realized we needed to do more, to engage them in moving by engaging their minds and bodies while offering something more memorable than a lecture.”

With Ashley Brown dressed as a chef, she danced and sang — along with a giant Pita Sandwich character — about the benefits of making healthy food and exercise choices.
“This is practical information,” Rowland said. “Many of these kids said they [help] cook for their families. It’s practical information. Now they can go home and make some healthy snack choices.”

For Kelsey, the program was exciting and engaging. She also said she was left with lesson packets and work books to continue the healthy choice teachings.

“I loved the puppet show best,” said 7-year-old Rebecca Martinez, who also said she cooks at home. “I learned a lot. I learned that vegetables are good for you.”

Following the presentation, the students created faces on small plates using yogurt and vegetables before biting into them. The class ended with an anti-bullying song and dance.
Network for a Healthy California supports healthy eating and adequate physical exercise for kindergarten through 12th grade in school districts across Tulare County. It is a collaborative effort between teachers, food service professionals, dieticians, school nurses, parents, administrators, community members and students.

“Our goal is to encourage nutritional education for children so they have the desire and information needed to make healthy, positive choices for the rest of their lives,” Rowland said.

In addition to Chef Brown, the program has 10 professional chefs visiting classrooms through Tulare County.

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @Avila_recorder.