April 2, 2009
Harding University dietetics students partner with local elementary school
SEARCY, Ark.—Eating vegetables is not a typical component of schoolcurricula, but elementary students at Sidney Deener learn about
healthy foods every Friday. Three dietetics majors from Harding
University visit the kindergarten class once a week to present lessons
about different fruits and vegetables.
Charlotte Davis, food services director for Searcy public schools,
wrote the grant that funds the program. A specific component of the
grant agreement involves Harding University as a community partner,
which benefits students at both the elementary and college levels.
For 15 to 30 minutes, Harding students teach kindergartners through
fun, interactive learning experiences. They tell stories about the
fruit or vegetable’s origin and discuss its nutritional value. After
the lesson, Harding students lead the children in a fun game or quiz
to solidify the presentation. The grant provides funds for samples of
each fruit and vegetable so that students can taste foods they are
learning about.
Lisa Ritchie, associate professor of family and consumer sciences at
Harding, says that this opportunity will hopefully improve nutritional
habits. “Elementary students may even be able to take lessons to their
families and influence the way they eat at home.”
According to Ritchie, the program also gives college students valuable
teaching experience. She says, “It gives them confidence and increases
their knowledge of just how important it is to teach and encourage
positive nutritional habits.”
Elizabeth Provencher, a participating freshman dietetics major from
Nolensville, Tenn., says, “It is so important for these kids to
understand now which foods will keep them feeling well and in
excellent health. Education at an early age is a great way to prevent
negative food and weight issues.”
Provencher adds that she has taught the elementary students
complicated concepts such as electrolytes and antioxidants, and they
have been surprisingly responsive. “I love seeing their excitement
about healthy eating,” she says. “Hopefully it will help them maintain
these habits throughout their lives and produce happy and healthy
adults.”
Also participating is senior dietetics major Ashlee Tappe from
Cleburne, Texas, who says that the students have amazed her with their
knowledge. “So often I try to explain what I think is a little
complicated only to find out that they already know all about it.”
“I have learned that this method of teaching is so much fun for the
teacher and the students,” says Tappe. “I look forward to going each
time, and it is evident that the fruit and vegetable time is a
highlight in the kids’ week.”
Kurstin Koch, sophomore dietetics major from Sikeston, Mo., also
participates in the program. A grant has been resubmitted to renew the
funding for next year.
