Without even realizing it, we are exposed to dozens of scientific concepts every time interact with food! This fact makes food-based learning the ideal tool for teaching young children about healthy foods while also providing opportunities to integrate learning with science, literacy, mathematics, and more! PEAS (Preschool Education in Applied Sciences) is a multi-component intervention that aims to improve children’s dietary quality through food-based learning experiences while also improving science learning and language development. In this session, Agents and Educators will learn practical, evidence-based strategies to promote healthy eating through integrative science learning in the preschool classroom. Participants will engage in interactive training activities using Agent-developed strategies and More PEAS Please! resources.

Teachers can be key partners in encouraging healthy eating among young children and their families. However, not all teachers realize this potential, and many face significant challenges in improving their own health behaviors. In this session, participants will discuss the teachers’ role in supporting children’s positive health behaviors; teachers’ personal/professional challenges with healthy eating and physical activity; and learn about best practices strategies for supporting teachers’ personal health/well-being and their confidence to serve as positive role models to the children in their classrooms.