The Healthy Kids Quest is a flexible program designed for grade 1 to 3 classes across the country.
Its purpose is to help students understand how to take care of themselves so that they can start to develop positive lifestyle habits and skills.
The program consists of 7 modules that cover the topics eating well, drinking enough water, enjoying food, being active, limiting screen time, getting enough sleep, and spending time with others.
The Healthy Kids Quest:
- is a unique, age appropriate program that encourages students to explore different ways of taking care of themselves so that their bodies can function, they feel good, and they are able to live well;
- includes lesson plans and activities that are adaptable to your own class and setting;
- aligns with Health and Physical Education curriculum as well as English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, and Social Studies;
- aligns with Canada’s Food Guide; and
- is FREE
Taking on the Healthy Kids Quest
We recommend starting the program with the Living Well introduction. This module includes fun activities that help the students make the connection between what they need to do to take care of themselves and feeling good.
Once the students understand these basic concepts, you can introduce any of the other themes.
Modules:
Additional Information for Teachers
Based on their budget, culture, preferences, and lifestyle, students may have different ways of taking care of themselves, but they all follow these core principles: eating well, drinking enough water, enjoying food, being active, limiting screen time, getting enough sleep, and spending time with others.
As you deliver the Healthy Kids Quest program lesson plans and lead the activities, please keep these guidelines in mind:
- Talk about food in a neutral manner so that students can develop a positive attitude towards eating: avoid labelling foods as “healthy” vs. “unhealthy,” “good” vs. “bad,” or calling certain foods “treats.” Most of the time children don’t have control over the food that’s provided to them at home, and labelling foods can lead to anxiety and guilt around eating. Adopt the mindset: Food is food, and we need to eat all types of food to nourish our bodies.
- Spark curiosity about food and encourage food exploration — children will discover and learn about many different foods and dishes throughout their lives. Providing basic knowledge of where different foods come from and how they are prepared can help set students up for a lifetime of food exploration.
- Emphasize the value of screen-free time and activities. Whether that means enjoying a meal with family, playing imaginary games with friends, or sitting quietly to draw or colour on their own, these moments provide children with valuable opportunities to bond with others, connect with their culture and community, and learn about themselves and what they like to do. Excessive recreational screen time is a distraction that takes time away from these valuable moments.
Letter for Parents and Guardians
Letter for Teachers
Program Details
- View all programs at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
- View other programs related to Food, Health & Wellness, Education, Agriculture
- View other programs for: Grade 1 - Grade 3 (Ontario) or Elementary Cycle 1 - Elementary Cycle 2 (Quebec)