Activity-Based Nutrition Education for Elementary School Students

Lee, Kyoung Ae

Abstract

This study was to investigate practical methods for activity-based nutrition education for elementary school students, which help them understand the knowledge of food and nutrition and apply it to their day-to-day lives practically. The concept and necessity for activity-based nutrition education Were investigated and practical nutrition education methods based on activities were developed by referring to literatures related to activity based loaming and nutrition education methods. Activity-based nutrition education is a set of methods by which better food and nutrition habits are introduced by means of various activities, such as nutritional plays and games, story composing, nutritional songs, nutritional diaries, role plays, discussion and cooking. Elementary nutrition education should be based on various activities that take into consideration the children's intellectual and physical development because these students are in a concrete operational stage and they are naturally active, curious, and inquisitive. Thus, various activities were developed for elementary nutrition education, and educational effect and~ teaching methods are suggested. Children can be highly motivated and naturally absorb knowledge and desirable attitudes with respect to food and nutrition by means of these activities because they take into consideration the age and intellectual levels of the children.