Fun Times with FSNE!

Unfortunately, this is my final week with the Food Supplement Nutrition Education (FSNE)Program. I describe it as “unfortunate” because FSNE has been one of my favorite rotations so far. I’ve enjoyed it so much because of the opportunity to work with inner city elementary and middle school children. Although working with kids presents unique challenges, like controlling a rowdy classroom on their first day back from Christmas break, I thrive off of working around kids and think it’s extremely important to teach them about health and nutrition early on.

The fabulous FSNE staff I had the pleasure of working with do a wonderful job at teaching nutrition education to the kids. Each educator is enthusiastic and engages the students in fun, interactive, and hands-on activities. Last week for a lesson with a second grade class I got to dress up like a chef and make an apple walnut salad with spring onions, dried cranberries, and raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The second graders cut their own apple and onion pieces and assembled their salad themselves. While they were having fun making the salad my partner, Rachel, and I gave a nutrition lesson based on a book they read in class called “A Feast for 10”. Our lesson and the book focused on eating family meals together. The children absolutely loved making the salad with their classmates and although none of them had ever tried this kind of salad before, everyone tried it and most said they liked it! I also got to try the salad with the kids and must say it was delicious!

Me in my chef's outfit holding children's books about nutrition.

During this rotation I have had a blast teaching kids about nutrition, and this week I’m looking forward to visiting a middle school and doing health, nutrition, and exercise activities with several physical education classes. Rumor has it we’ll be doing a food group relay race among other fun activities. I’m excited for it and I know the kids are too!