2009-Present
Once a week I volunteer at an after school program to teach a nutrition and physical activity based lesson at an inner city elementary school. I follow a set curriculum to plan the lesson and decide how to present the nutrition theme appropriately to the kids. The lesson typically consists of me getting the kids motivated with our nutrition theme, encouraging them to interact with me, and giving them time to express what they know about the week’s topic. Then, physical activity and healthy living are stressed by playing a game such as charades or the kids doing jumping jacks and singing a nutrition themed song to enforce the lesson. I then read an interactive book and ask questions to reinforce its theme. Finally, I assist the kids in a workbook activity and check each student’s work. Volunteering for the N.E.A.T. program has given me a sense of what it is like to be a teacher. It has also shown me that not every child learns in the same way and you must adapt accordingly. The nutrition curriculum used is motivation for me, when I am a dietitian, that I would like to be a part of implementing similar programs in my rural community.