Jamie Carlson, Pitt County's EFNEP Educator, knows exactly how to bring nutrition concepts to life! During a recent "Camp, Cook, Play" protein lesson at a local Boys & Girls Club, Jamie led several hands-on activities that had everyone energized and fully engaged.
Plant or Animal Game
Jamie kicked off the session with the "Plant or Animal?" game. Holding up photos of various protein-rich foods, she asked the youth to use their bodies to indicate if a food was a plant or animal.
- Animal source: Take one baby step forward.
- Plant source: Take a big bunny hop backward.
This active warm-up encouraged youth to think and move at the exact same time, reinforcing that protein comes from both plant and animal sources before diving deeper into specific nutrients.
The Iron Discovery Game
Next, Jamie shared a custom game she created called "Hero or Help!" to teach youth which foods are packed with iron and which ones need a little extra support. Each child received a two-sided paddle:
- Hero: The food is a good source of iron.
- Help: The food needs a nutritional boost from other foods.
Jamie held up food models and asked the youth to vote. The interactive game turned into a lively classroom challenge with kids eagerly waving their paddles and competing to flex their nutrition knowledge. The youth enjoyed discovering surprising 'heroes' like fortified cereal and black beans, while learning that 'help' foods like carrots can be paired with leafy greens to boost iron, along with superhero partners like bell peppers for a splash of Vitamin C to absorb all that goodness.
Why Hands-On Nutrition Works
Pairing physical movement with decision-making games helps youth learn and retain key information better than traditional lecture alone. By getting their bodies and minds working together, Jamie turned nutrition topics into an unforgettable and fun experience! Great job!
