If you are looking for a very well-rounded child education resource that includes lesson plans, educational printouts and children’s games that go along with those lessons - or even if you're interested in only one of these components - you must check out
Nourish Interactive. This incredibly creative, interactive and multi-faceted website was a grassroots creation born as a result of one person that wanted to make a difference. Maggie LaBarbera was an intensive care nurse for many years and the patients who impacted her the most were the children that came in for weight loss surgery due to morbid obesity. Out of all the health issues she saw, this was one issue that could be fully prevented and she wanted to be part of the solution. Hence, Nourish Interactive was born. Maggie’s goal for the website is simple - that children have fun when learning about living a healthy lifestyle. The games she created are primarily geared toward children ages 4-10 years old, which are the critical age range when teaching about healthy habits. The main character on the website, Chef Solus (named after a Roman God that means “health), invites the children to join him in the Nourish Interactive “playroom” where they can play a variety of fun, interactive games. What a great marriage to encourage your children to have fun all the while learning about food balance and variety through Food Guide Pyramid basics and being active through character movements and challenges! They even have a reminder to take a break from the computer after 20 minutes and be physically active.
Parents, community activists and educators must check out the lesson plans on this website. There are all-inclusive lessons with an educational plan, interactive game, worksheets and even ideas to assess their learning of each lesson. Create an online account, which will give your parents and/or students log-in codes so all learning can be retained within your group account. By the end of the summer, Nourish Interactive will roll out a complete 7-8 week program for schools that will include both online and offline learning activities. Sooner additions within a month include a parental nutrient tool and a virtual cooking game for kids.
Did I mention that all of this access is FREE? Did I mention that the entire Nourish Interactive website has been created in both English and Spanish? All because an awesome nurse who believed she could make a difference in the obesity epidemic. What a great reminder that we can all do our part! Encourage educational entities to take advantage of this great resource so Maggie has reason to continue doing what she is doing so well. Use this great resource for your own family. Encourage your children to play around on Nourish Interactive today and ask them what they learned. Food made fun!
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