Literacy First™ March Parent Ideas

Happy March!

This month we are going to be doing some exciting activities at school, and we want you to be a part of the fun! This month’s theme is FOOD AND NUTRITION, so your child will be hearing new stories about food groups, eating healthy, different meals of the day, cultural foods, and more. Through a variety of classroom activities, your child will learn how to make healthy food choices, try new foods, understand the body, exercise, drink water, and participate in other healthy habits.

You can extend the learning at home with a few simple and fun activities. Check out these PARENT IDEAS for some ways you can engage with your child at home. Make it fun!

MyPlate: In the classroom, children will learn about MyPlate, which is a government initiative that shows portion sizes in each food group. You can use it at home, too. Remind children that sweets and junk food are not on the plate.
Wash Hands: Get children involved in grocery shopping, food prep, and cooking. Ask children for input about meals. When you do, make it a habit to wash hands before touching food. Check out the hand-washing chart included in this packet.
Play with Your Food: When children are hungry, provide them with a few healthy choices and let them build. Crackers might become an animal face, raisins could be eyes and carrot sticks make great legs. What kind of creation will your child come up with?
Exercise: Practice regular exercise at home. For children, exercise can be anything from running in the yard, taking a walk around the block, riding bikes, jumping rope, dancing, tumbling, or participating in yoga. Play 60 is an easy way to remember to get in 60 minutes of exercise each day. Children will feel better, sleep and eat better, too.
Try Yoga: If you want to learn an easy way to move the body and keep your mind healthy, try a few simple yoga poses with your child. Check out the Yoga Pose sheet in this packet.
Water: Keep children hydrated with water throughout the day! Water is the best drink for the body because it does not have any calories or sugar or extras. Have children choose their own special water bottle, take it with you wherever you go, and encourage children to drink after exercise to rehydrate, too.
New Foods, New Recipes: Check out a mom’s food blog online, various children’s cookbooks, or usda.gov for new snack and recipe ideas. Choose one to try with your child. Or, let children be creative in the kitchen. What combinations will they come up with?