Plymouth Elementary School’s PAC Promotes Healthy Snacks
Contact:
Brenda Leclair
Plymouth Elementary PAC
brendalr@shaw.ca
Process:
North Vancouver’s Plymouth Elementary School PAC promoted healthy snack options for the children at their May 2008 Fun Day.
Children who visited the interactive display entered to win a pedometer, had an opportunity to explore healthy eating choices with a display provided by Vancouver Coastal Health and took their turn to spin a carnival wheel to “win” a healthy snack.
People involved:
PAC, students, Vancouver Coastal Health
Key changes or results:
The school’s PAC parents who created this activity two years ago know that many children when given an option will choose a healthy snack. As one boy was heard to say after spinning the snack wheel – “Yeah, veggies!”.
Challenges:
Purchasing the correct quantity of food for the display was a challenge as the food handed out is based on game of chance (spinning the wheel).
Solution:
When food ran out, we used additional food tags for the various groups on the wheel and swapped out with the tags for the food that was depleted. At the very end, we asked the children to choose their favourite snack. Leftover food was refrigerated and put out on platters at recess the next school day for the children to enjoy.
Keys to Success:
- Make the display FUN.
- Dress with bright tablecloths, balloons and a draw to win always helps add interest.
- Staff the display & game with outgoing parents who will engage the children in the spin game and emphasize the “healthy” food.
Checking the healthy options at the table
Spinning the wheel to win a healthy snack
Entering the draw to win a pedometer
Checking the healthy options display from Vancouver Coastal Health
