Eat Smart for a Great Start

“Be sure to eat a good breakfast.” “Have a piece of fruit with your lunch.” "Finish your milk before you leave the table.” How often as kids did we hear our parents reminding us of the importance of good nutrition? How many of us find ourselves repeating those same reminders to our own children?

PBS KIDS and Produce for Kids® (PFK) have joined forces on an online initiative to promote healthy eating and smart food choices through the numerous benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. Launched in 2007, Eat Smart for a Great Start encourages kids to take their own personal steps towards living healthier lifestyles. The website includes a healthy eating page that includes games, fitness challenges and activities for kids. PBS Parents features an extensive area that includes activities and information on how parents can help their children build healthy eating habits such as:

· Parent Helpers that provide parents with strategies, activities and creative ways to encourage kids to eat healthy foods and make eating healthy foods fun;
· An article on “Picky Eaters” that provides parents with advice on how they can encourage even the pickiest eaters to eat healthy foods;
· Recipes using fruits and vegetables from children’s favorite PBS KIDS programs;
· Engaging activities that kids can play at the grocery store to make them aware of the healthy options around them as well as help them build math and literacy skills.

While these resources are aimed primarily at parents, they also have many uses in the elementary classroom. Check out these free resources soon.

- Diane