It is important for children to learn to take care of themselves in order to keep their bodies healthy and strong. Students will become more aware of the many things we do to take care of ourselves and realize that eating well is essential if you want to stay healthy.

New York State PreK-K Health Education Learning Standards:
1.2.1. Identify that healthy behaviors affect personal health.
2.2.1. Identify how the family influences personal health practices and behaviors.
5.2.1. Identify situations when a health-related decision is needed.
6.2.1. Identify a short-term personal health goal and take action toward achieving the goal.
7.2.1. Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health.
7.2.2. Demonstrate behaviors that avoid or reduce health risks.

Students will:

• Review basic safety such as helmets, knee pads, life jackets, car seats and seat belts
• Review basic hygiene such as bathing, hair and teeth brushing
• Begin to learn the relationship between food, nutrition, energy and a healthy body

Directions

• Read the healthy living text that you have chosen.
• Prepare appropriate discussion questions such as: Why do we need to exercise, brush our hair and teeth, eat healthy food? How will these habits make your body feel?

Lesson Extensions

Discuss the ways that the children can use the information that their have learned to motivate their families to eat healthier. Help them realize that establishing healthier habits at home will benefit every member of their family unit?

Home Connection

• Students will discuss with their families those ways that they have been taking care of themselves and brainstorm ways that the family can become even healthier.
• Students can explore the web page www.mypyramid.gov with their parents.

Evaluation

Have students adopted some of the behaviors that were expressed in the lesson? Ex: Do they seem to wash their hands more often? Have they remarked about the healthy or unhealthy habits of their family, friends or teachers? In the past, our students have talked about eating healthy at snack time and lunchtime. They would even remark about safety during their personal conversations with one another.