It is never too early to start learning about good nutrition. Preschoolers are full of energy and eager to discover new things. Children of this age have short attention spans, according to the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona WIC program, and nutrition games and activities should be kept simple.
Coloring
The First School website offers a number of game and activity ideas for preschoolers. It offers a food-themed alphabet, coloring printouts and activity worksheets to help teach preschoolers about nutrition. The children can color in a black and white printout of the letter A for apple, featuring a capital letter A and an apple. The activity includes a picture of a clown surrounded by apples, and preschoolers are asked to count the number of apples in the picture. The food alphabet continues with B for broccoli and C for cow, all the way through W for watermelon. The website also offers preschool friendly recipes for each letter and food.
Reading
Preschoolers enjoy being read to and can learn a lot about nutrition from books. The Inter Tribal Council WIC program suggests reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," by Eric Carle. It teaches children how to understand the signs of hunger and fullness. Parents can also read "The Carrot Seed," by Ruth Krauss, to teach preschoolers about how food is grown. After reading the books, parents and their preschoolers can plant carrot seeds in the yard or in a large planter, and watch the plants grow.
Cooking
Preschoolers can learn about nutrition and good food in the kitchen. Preschoolers can have fun cutting apple slices into different shapes with cookie cutters. Parents first need to peel and cut the apple into thin slices, then the preschooler can create different shapes with cookie cutters. Parents can also play a taste-testing game with their preschoolers by gathering four different foods to satisfy each taste group: sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Parents ask their preschoolers which food taste they liked best and why.
Games
Preschoolers can learn about nutrition through games. Preschool Rock, an educational website for preschoolers and parents, suggests the Food Group Game. Parents name a food group, such as vegetables, or a food type like drinks or sandwiches, and the preschooler tries to name foods that fall into the group. This is a good game to play as a family. Parents can also play the Guess What Food game. Parents think of a food and ask their preschooler to "Guess my vegetable." After a certain number of guesses, parents can start giving hints, such as the color and taste.
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