Help preschoolers learn about food groups - By: sily

The more children learn about different foods and nutrition the more likely they are to try new foods. Learning about the five food groups is a good way to introduce them to the idea.

The first step is to help the students remember the basic food groups. They are:

*Grains and Cereals

*Vegetables

*Fruit

*Dairy

*Proteins

*Oils, Fats

Most of the time the food groups are presented in a pyramid. It is a good way to help the children remember. It is can be made into a puzzle. There is some controversy about the daily totals and health issues, but the shape is still a good tool.

*Sorting Food Pictures

Place pictures of food on a circle template. Children color the food and then sort them in the appropriate bushel basket. Once all the templates have been colored this makes a good center activity. Students can sort over and over. It won't happen overnight, but with practice the students will recognize which foods belong together. Talk about it at snack time and lunch. Encourage parents to join in the conversation.

*Have a Garden Party

Fruits and vegetables typically grow in orchards and gardens. Mix up a little dip and have parents bring in garden treats. The goal is a large variety of choices. It is time to try something new. Some good suggestions may be star fruit, mango, cauliflower, snap peas, radishes, black berries, carrots, celery. See how many different colors the students can try.

*Stone Soup

The fable of stone soup is classic. It is also a great way to include the entire class in a discussion about food groups. In the story the hungry person only has a stone and convinces others to add ingredients to help make a delicious stone soup they can share and eat together. All the ingredients for the soup should be prepared, pre-cut, and prepackaged. Read the book and then bring the cooler filled with ingredients. The ingredients should be in sandwich bags so the children can add them without touching the food. The teacher begins by adding water and a stone to the large soup pot. Each child takes a sandwich bag; identifies and food and which food group it belongs with. They then add it to the pot.

What's for lunch or snack time? Why Stone Soup, of course.

*Give Me Five

Send a blank menu home with students. Have them bring back the menu filled with pictures of items they have at home. Group the pictures by food groups. Again this involves the parents and brings the classroom into the home. Healthy eating habits begin when children are young. Learning about the food groups and allowing children to increase their pallet is a good habit to begin. Teachers have an excellent opportunity to make it fun and easy.

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