Teachers as Role Models

Teachers who role model healthy behaviors in their classrooms can have an enormous impact on choices children make related to healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Children are more likely to embrace and adopt habits if they see adults in their lives demonstrate these same healthy behaviors. Modeling healthy behaviors expands direct education to influence individuals’ behavior.

Healthy Foods

Model healthy eating behaviors by consuming healthy foods and beverages.
Make a point of eating healthy snacks with students.
Show them what is in your healthy lunch.
Drink water in front of the students to model healthy beverage choices.
Participate in nutrition education classroom tasting activities.
Plan and conduct taste tests of fruits and vegetables with students on a regular basis (first Friday of each month, etc.).
Try new foods with the students.
Share positive, out-of-the-classroom, healthy eating experiences with students.
Discuss the benefits of healthy food choices with students during snack and meal times.
Have a healthy party policy in your classroom.
Don’t reward students with food.
Eat lunch in the cafeteria with students.
Schedule a lunch bunch in your classroom as an earned reward. Encourage students to bring healthy foods to eat that day.

Classroom teacher to classroom teacher communication is powerful in influencing health behavior change in the school setting. Working together and sharing experiences will help to strengthen the activities and may provide an increase in the number of teachers who promote healthy classroom behaviors.