IGrow Readers: A Literature-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Young Children

Abstract

ObjectiveSouth Dakota State University Extension developed iGrow Readers to help preschool-aged to third grade children understand the benefits of making healthy decisions involving nutrition and physical activity.Target AudienceiGrow Readers can be used for children in preschool to third grade.Theory, Prior Research, RationaleNutrition, physical activity, and youth development experts developed the curriculum to involve the school, family, and individual and have achieved health behavior changes in children by utilizing social cognitive, ecological, and social learning theories. iGrow Readers has previously been tested with summer programs at rural community libraries, Head Start programs, and 4-H programs to measure the curriculum’s efficacy. Effective transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention interventions targeting young children are limited; therefore programs such as iGrow Readers are warranted.DescriptioniGrow Readers uses a collection of 31 children’s books, including Native American relevant stories, to integrate themes of healthy behaviors. After reading a book as a group, children have the opportunity to participate in nutrition and physical activities that reinforce the lesson learned. Informational newsletters highlighting healthy behaviors are provided to parents.EvaluationTeachers that implemented the curriculum completed an evaluation and feedback survey. Participating children were given pre and post surveys to assess change in nutrition and physical activity knowledge.Conclusions & ImplicationsInitial evaluation of iGrow Readers showed a significant increase of nutrition and physical activity knowledge in participants. iGrow Readers has the potential to be used as a component of comprehensive nutrition and physical activity programs to support healthful behavior in young children.FundingUSDA, AFRI Grant #2011-67002-30202. ObjectiveSouth Dakota State University Extension developed iGrow Readers to help preschool-aged to third grade children understand the benefits of making healthy decisions involving nutrition and physical activity. South Dakota State University Extension developed iGrow Readers to help preschool-aged to third grade children understand the benefits of making healthy decisions involving nutrition and physical activity. Target AudienceiGrow Readers can be used for children in preschool to third grade. iGrow Readers can be used for children in preschool to third grade. Theory, Prior Research, RationaleNutrition, physical activity, and youth development experts developed the curriculum to involve the school, family, and individual and have achieved health behavior changes in children by utilizing social cognitive, ecological, and social learning theories. iGrow Readers has previously been tested with summer programs at rural community libraries, Head Start programs, and 4-H programs to measure the curriculum’s efficacy. Effective transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention interventions targeting young children are limited; therefore programs such as iGrow Readers are warranted. Nutrition, physical activity, and youth development experts developed the curriculum to involve the school, family, and individual and have achieved health behavior changes in children by utilizing social cognitive, ecological, and social learning theories. iGrow Readers has previously been tested with summer programs at rural community libraries, Head Start programs, and 4-H programs to measure the curriculum’s efficacy. Effective transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention interventions targeting young children are limited; therefore programs such as iGrow Readers are warranted. DescriptioniGrow Readers uses a collection of 31 children’s books, including Native American relevant stories, to integrate themes of healthy behaviors. After reading a book as a group, children have the opportunity to participate in nutrition and physical activities that reinforce the lesson learned. Informational newsletters highlighting healthy behaviors are provided to parents. iGrow Readers uses a collection of 31 children’s books, including Native American relevant stories, to integrate themes of healthy behaviors. After reading a book as a group, children have the opportunity to participate in nutrition and physical activities that reinforce the lesson learned. Informational newsletters highlighting healthy behaviors are provided to parents. EvaluationTeachers that implemented the curriculum completed an evaluation and feedback survey. Participating children were given pre and post surveys to assess change in nutrition and physical activity knowledge. Teachers that implemented the curriculum completed an evaluation and feedback survey. Participating children were given pre and post surveys to assess change in nutrition and physical activity knowledge. Conclusions & ImplicationsInitial evaluation of iGrow Readers showed a significant increase of nutrition and physical activity knowledge in participants. iGrow Readers has the potential to be used as a component of comprehensive nutrition and physical activity programs to support healthful behavior in young children. Initial evaluation of iGrow Readers showed a significant increase of nutrition and physical activity knowledge in participants. iGrow Readers has the potential to be used as a component of comprehensive nutrition and physical activity programs to support healthful behavior in young children.