1. This training is conducted by the National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi www.nfsmi.org 800-321-3054

3. Nutrition Education Helps Young Children: Enjoy a variety of healthy foods. Learn about new foods in a fun and exciting way. Understand their feelings of hunger and fullness. Learn ways to group and describe foods. Learn to refuse food politely.

4. Teaching Preschoolers the Importance of Good Nutrition

5. Inform and Involve Families Inform parents about More Than Mud Pies. Send menus home with children. Distribute a monthly nutrition newsletter. Provide nutrition information to parents at family meetings. Sponsor international family pot-luck dinners to introduce various cultural and ethnic foods.

6. Introducing the Curriculum Mealtime Routines for Health and Manners Food Groups Measuring Manipulation Kitchen Safety How to Follow a Picture Recipe

7. Hey diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon, The little dog laughed to see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon. Washing Hands can be fun, fun, fun, Germs on the run, run, run, Power em out – POW Power em out – Ka – zow! Germs on the run, run, run.

8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Feast for 10 Stone Soup Little Nino’s Pizzeria

9. Suggestions for Presenting PLAN a week in advance Make each lesson a SPECIAL OCCASION Provide close SUPERVISION Provide PRAISE for participating Allow everyone to PARTICIPATE

10. Put Together a Plan 1. Choose a lesson 2. Prepare your plan 3. Purchase ingredients 4. Send out the Family Handout 5. Check out books from the library

11. Lesson Preparations Wash all food items. Clean and sanitize the work space. Instruct everyone to wash their hands. Gather serving and eating utensils. Serve water as the beverage. Avoid allergen foods.

12. Engage Children in Activities Theme lessons Process is more important than results Use a variety of senses Ask open-ended questions

13. Sample Lesson 1: Quick and Crunchy Trail Mix Ingredients Needed: 2 cups Toasted O type cereal 2 cups Rice Chex type cereal 2 cups Corn Chex type cereal 2 cups Small Pretzels 1 cup Raisins (optional) ½ cup Dried Cranberries (optional) ***Raisins and Dried Cranberries can be a choking hazard for young children. Directions: 1. Ask children to help measure each of the ingredients. 2. Place the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. 3. Put a portion of the trail mix in individual resealable plastic bags or serving dishes.

14. Sample Lesson 2: Food Games Sample Activity: Play “Grab Bag” Things You’ll Need: Food cards Paper bag Things You’ll Do: Place the food cards face down on the table or in a paper bag. Have children take turns picking cards and identifying foods. Books to Read: Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, by Charlotte Zolotow Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey Songs to Sing: One Potato, Two Potato

15. Sample Lesson 3: Water…It’s What We Drink Sample Activity: “Water, Water Everywhere and Only SOME to Drink” Walking Tour Things You’ll Do: Take children on a neighborhood walking tour. Look for water wherever you walk (puddles, rain, dew, etc.) Ask children if all water is safe to drink. Tell them even clear looking water may not be safe to drink. Discuss how cities work hard to keep tap water clean and safe. Books to Read: Gregory the Terrible Eater, by Mitchell Sharmat Songs to Sing: It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

16. Sample Lesson 4: Vegetables From Our Garden Sample Activity: Paint Your Garden Things You’ll Need: Posters or art book depicting the works of Claude Monet Art paper, watercolors, brushes, water Things You’ll Do: Explain that artists, like Monet, often draw or paint flowers. Let the children paint what their garden looks like. Books to Read: The Ugly Vegetables, by Grace Lin Songs to Sing: The Farmer in the Dell

17. Clean-Up Everyone’s help is important. Design a clean-up routine. Make it fun and part of the activity. Offer praise for helping.

18. State and Local Requirements Food Safety Requirements Restrictions on food consumption when children prepare food Crediting food prepared by children

19. Question and Answer

20. National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi Mission: To provide information and services that promote the continuous improvement of child nutrition programs Vision: To be the leader in providing education, research, and resources to promote excellence in child nutrition programs