Primary Nutrition Education Focus Areas

• Nutrients
• Food Sources of Nutrients
• Hydration
• Exercise
• Rest

Interpersonal and Self-efficacy Skills Development

Nutrition topics are discussed in the context of expectations, peer pressure and influence, and the role of the media in creating expectations and their role in decision making.  Students set and reach more complex goals and, in the process, develop and practice stronger decision-making skills and effective-communication skills.  Students also learn to identify and manage their emotions and the emotions of others so they can better relate to others and seek to associate with positive peer groups.  Through the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes teens need to make healthy decisions consistent with their healthy goals.

Seeds of Nutrition teaches five essential skills to build self-efficacy, promote healthy development, and increase academic success:

• Setting Reachable Goals
• Making Responsible Decisions
• Bonding with Pro-Social Others
• Identifying and Managing Emotions
• Communicating Effectively

Additional Skills and Developmental Topics

The self-efficacy and interpersonal skills constructs are woven into the course to reinforce the capacity for self awareness and social awareness. Additional skills build on the core social skills set to broaden the student’s sense of self-efficacy and confidence and are tailored to the intellectual, cognitive, and social development of the student.

• Media Literacy and Media Influence
• Resisting Peer Pressure
• Understanding Peer Influence
• Being a Positive Peer Influence

A Fully Engaged Classroom

Interactive games and activities foster an experiential learning environment so students can learn, practice, and apply the skills in the classroom setting. Multiple opportunities for practice reinforce the learning in a variety of applications to provide context and promote recall.  Activities including competitive games and role play in individual, paired, and group formats are designed to engage reluctant participants and foster collaborative approached to problem solving and task completion.