Lesson

When and Where Kids Can Make Healthy Choices

Teach kids to think about making healthy choices and the importance of doing so.

Objectives

  • Identify times and places to do a fit-check.

Info to Know

Being fit is not just about what you eat or drink or how you move. Being fit is about having enough energy and motivation to make healthy nutrition and physical activity choices. Four key factors of well-being help you to be fit:

  • Mood: Motivate Your Mood
  • Food: Think Your Food
  • Recharge: Recharge Your Energy
  • Move: Move Your Body

The lessons in this unit help students connect the four parts of fit with everyday choices by teaching them how to do a fit-check. A fit-check is a tool for the moments when a child needs to make a choice. Your students will learn to be mindful and stop to think about their energy and mood before making a choice—then decide the best choice, the fit choice! Print and display the fit Wellness Posters to help them be mindful of healthy choices they can make throughout the day.

Set The Stage

Have kids describe what a healthy choice is. Then have kids turn to a partner and talk about a healthy choice that made them feel good. 

To use this with your students click here.

Captivate

Help Kids Think About Healthy Choices

Read the slideshow story aloud to see what choices Alex, Leila, and Miguel make throughout their day.

Educate

Kids Can Make Healthy Choices

Discuss with students that there are many times and places when and where they can do a fit-check to help themselves make healthy choices. Note that times and places can include mornings, afternoons, evenings, at bedtime, at home, and at school.

Check for understanding: What are the best times and places for you do to a fit-check?

Activate

How to Get Kids to Think About Healthy Choices

Students tell one another about times and places to include a fit-check in their day. Ask them to identify a trusted adult they can ask for help if assistance is needed.

Close the Lesson

Today we’ve learned about when to take time to make a fit-check and what we can do if assistance is needed. Next, we will learn about how to integrate fit-checks into our daily routines.

Grade: 3-5

Time: 20 Minutes

What You'll Need

Health Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Core Concepts–Use self-control and impulse-control strategies to promote health. 
  • Standard 2: Analyze Influences 
  • Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication 
  • Standard 5: Decision-Making

 

Social and Emotional Learning Competencies

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Responsible Decision-Making

Extend the Lesson

View the fit Units and Lessons Scope and Sequence Chart.

Related Content

Food, Mood, Move, Recharge

Here's How Healthy Choices Lead to More Healthy Choices

Grades 3-5

Show kids how making healthy choices can cause a chain reaction of feeling good and making more healthy choices.

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Helping Kids Make Choices

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We make choices all day long. Let’s help kids identify times during the day when they make choices and practice giving reasons why they made certain choices.

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fit Choices for Healthy Kids

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Help kids think more carefully about responsible decision-making. Introduce the idea of making a choice because it's good for your body and brain.

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Four Types of Healthy Choices for Kids

Grades 3-5

Position kids to make better choices by teaching them about the benefits of resting, having a positive mindset, eating healthy foods, and engaging in physical activity.

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What Influences Choices?

Grades 3-5

Help kids understand that self-awareness can help them to make healthy choices.

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Food, Mood, Move, Recharge

What is a fit-Check?

Grades K-2

Taking time to think about choices is important, we call this a fit-check.

Start Lesson