Making Nutrition Learning Fun
Sofia Diaz Buezo
SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator
There is nothing better about learning a new subject than by doing it in a fun way. Individuals are more likely to remember and apply knowledge they are gaining in the classroom if they actively participate through hands-on activities during the lesson. This is something that SNAP-Ed strives to incorporate in each of the lessons and curriculum it teaches to the members of the community, as it will allow them to be more connected and interested in learning the nutrition concepts taught at each class session.
This summer, I was given the opportunity to start my new employee training by teaching Teen Cuisine to Van Go’s JAMS employment youth. During each nutrition session, I provided the material in a lecture way, and then I asked the students to actively participate in discussion and activities, such as cutting apples for one of the meals, measuring teaspoons of sugar in beverages, and using their hands as guidance for measuring portion sizes.
These hands-on activities not only provided me with the opportunity to learn the content I needed to teach within the Teen Cuisine curriculum, but it provided an opportunity for the teens to ask questions and feel like they had the opportunity to give their “two-cents” during discussion.
Teen Cuisine is one of the curriculums taught by SNAP-Ed which focuses on empowering teens to adopt healthier lifestyles by teaching them the skills and the knowledge to prepare nutritious meals and snacks at home. Teen Cuisine is designed to teach youth from grades 6 to 12 important like skills to promote optimal health both in the present and future. The curriculum includes key concepts such as nutrition, food preparation and cooking, food safety, and physical activity using approaches and strategies to enhance learning and behavior change.
