Healthy Schools Ideas

Offering nutritious snacks is a good way to help children develop healthy eating habits. Another option is to encourage children to bring whole grains, low-fat dairies, and vegetables and fruits and create a chart to track progress. Holding a snack competition is also a great way to encourage children to eat healthy. Build a list of whole grains, healthy proteins, and fruits and vegetables and ask children to prepare snacks that are healthy and tasty. Another option is to use food art to create snacks that are nutritious and appealing to the eye. Encourage students to get creative by holding a food art cooking session. There are plenty of ideas to draw inspiration from – tomato cucumber butterflies, animal shaped boiled eggs, olive penguins, animal sandwiches, and plenty more. Giving students a topic is also a way to encourage them to use their imagination and create a healthy snack. It can be anything, from mammals or birds to seasons, sports, Christmas, or Thanksgiving.

It is a good idea to ask students about the rewards they would like to get. Encourage them to think of healthy rewards, including food and non-food ones. Examples of non-food rewards are end-of-class free time, extra recess time, playing children’s favorite games, and fun physical activities. Rewards that can be offered to elementary students also include ribbons, trophies, and certificates, commendation letters and certificates, earning points, and having a class outdoors. Healthy rewards for middle school students include field trips, chat breaks, group games and activities, extra credits, and reduced homework. Social reinforcers include things like class parties, allowing students to sit anywhere, and taking a walk. Examples of tangible reinforcers are holding a stuffed animal, sitting in the teacher’s chair, and dressing up.