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A Visual Guide to Healthy Eating
Using the Food Pyramid By Donna Smith
You'll need:
- Blank index cards (no lines)
- Crayons, markers
- Old magazines
- Blunt scissors
- Glue stick
Have your child draw pictures of different food items on one side of the index cards. Or, help her cut pictures of food out of magazines and then glue on the cards. There are several ways to use these cards:
- 1. Have your child sort them in stacks according to their food group.
- 2. Hold the cards up one at a time and have her tell you the food group.
- 3. Make lines under the picture or on the back of the card and help her write in the name of the item (a great way to practice letters and reading).
- 4. Put the cards in a brown bag and have them reach in and select three or four. Lay the cards out in front of her and have her make up a story about the items she selected. (Have you heard the one about the chicken nugget and broccoli spear that ran away with the Swiss cheese?)
- Construction paper
- Blunt scissors
- Crayons or markers
- Glue
Help your child cut a large pyramid body out of white construction paper. Next, cut out a "head" for the top of the pyramid. Help your child trace his hands and feet and cut them out. Glue the head, hands and feet to the pyramid "body."
Give your child crayons or markers and let him draw a face and add features to the head, hands and feet. Now comes the fun part! First, help your child draw lines to represent the sections on the Food Pyramid. Let him draw foods he enjoys eating in the appropriate sections. When he's done, discuss the different foods he drew, then hang the creation on the refrigerator to remind him – and you – to make healthy food choices.
- Construction paper
- Blunt scissors
- Markers or crayons
- Small stickers (stars in a variety of colors work well)