Bill and I lead fun workshops in schools to improve children’s eating habits. We begin by asking the children what they know about nutrition. We build on their knowledge to teach them about the importance of a balanced breakfast, the meal that helps children focus in school.
Don’t worry; it’s not boring. Using Bill’s humorous breakfast plates as inspiration the kids enjoy this playful activity in a joyful environment.
In a previous blog I wrote about a workshop we led for 4 & 5 year olds. With the younger children we made snacks using a variety of fruits.
Most often we work with children who are between the ages of 8 and 11 years old and we make breakfast using eggs, waffles, cereal or pancakes as the base to build a healthy breakfast.
The kids get very excited and are very attentive when Bill projects the breakfasts he makes for me. They laugh, as they point out what they see and what it’s made from. It stimulates their imagination and in this relaxed atmosphere they don’t even realize how much they are learning about combining food groups.
Bill not only shows his images, but he also asks them if they have ever seen images in clouds. This is another way he sparks their imaginations and releases their creativity.
The next step is to demonstrate making a breakfast in front of the students incorporating their suggestions.
He begins by talking about what he sees in the waffle or pancake and kids begin to see the food through an artist’s eyes. For example he might say, “Do you see the chin on this pancake?”
We have cut up food group samples, such as strawberries, cheese and turkey bacon. Bill might take a pancake and say, “It needs eyes”. If they suggest a fruit, then for the next facial feature Bill encourages the kids to name a body part from another food group.
After an exhilarating introduction the children make their own healthy breakfast. Sometimes parents attend and they work side-by-side making fun images that are always healthy.
Use our experiences to guide you, or develop your own amusing activities to teach one child or a classroom filled with children about healthy food choices.
We would be glad to send you a more detailed workshop plan, or, we would love to see a plan you develop.
For inspirational images see www.funnyfood.us. And visit us on Facebook at Funny Food Art.
