Kids learn about eating healthy the fun way

Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Taylor Earl and Jalen Collicott both kindergartners at McCook Elementary, go through upright hula hoops as part of the TOUCAN program presented at McCook Elementary Monday and Tuesday. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Kids jumped through hoops - hula hoops, that is -- at the TOUCAN program presented at McCook Elementary Monday.

Sponsored by the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, the program continued Tuesday during physical education classes for kindergarten through third grade.

Activities were geared specifically for each grade level and included an obstacle course with hula hoops for kindergartners and stations of mini exercises for third graders.

Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette

"TOUCAN is Teaching Our yoUth Choices: Activities and Nutrition," explained Helena T. Janousek, TOUCAN coordinator at SWNPHD. "Our goal is to reduce childhood obesity by providing education to children at a young age. We use stories, puppets, and activities for each grade to help students learn about MyPlate, food groups, calories, and staying active."

"The kids learn how important exercise is, " said McCook Elementary physical educator instructor and assistant principal Jeremy Yilk. "They learn that it's about making the right choices."

Some of the kids were already familiar with eating healthy, which surprised assistant program coordinator, Linda Gordon.

Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette

"I asked one kindergartner how many servings of fresh fruit and vegetables we need every day, and she knew right away it was five," Gordon said.

This is the second year for the TOUCAN program at McCook Elementary School. "We enjoyed working with Mr. Ryser and Mr. Yilk and their students in our high energy program," Janousek said. "We also coordinate Nebraska Kids Fitness Day at McCook for all fourth grade students in the health district. TOUCAN is a great introduction that builds each year on making healthy choices."

Each student received a bag to take home containing a bookmark, pencil, sticker, TOUCAN pin and MyPlate information to share with their parents.

SWNPHD serves the counties of Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins, and Red Willow.

For additional information, please contact Janousek at email: respite@swhealth. ne.gov, call 308-345-4223 or visit www.swhealth.ne.gov

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