Use this cross-curricular healthy eating lesson plan to teach children about the importance of a balanced diet.
As part of this lesson, your class can learn about the range of fruit and vegetables grown in our own country, explore seasonality and plan a school vegetable garden.
Healthy eating in the national curriculum
The UK science national curriculum addresses healthy eating for both Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2). This includes:
KS1
- Animals, including humans:
- Identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores.
- Describe the importance of exercise, a balanced diet, and hygiene for humans.
KS2
- Animals, including humans:
- Describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans.
- Identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions.
- Recognize the impact of diet, exercise, drugs, and lifestyle on the way their bodies function.
Practical application in the classroom
There are various ways to get hands-on with a healthy eating lesson plan in the classroom. These include
- Interactive activities:
- Engage children in hands-on activities like preparing simple recipes that reinforce the principles of healthy eating.
- Organise discussions on the food groups and the importance of a balanced diet.
- Cross-curricular links:
- Link lessons on healthy eating with PE, focusing on the benefits of nutrition in relation to physical activity.
- Incorporate topics of sustainability and environmental impact by discussing food sourcing and seasonality.
By incorporating these elements into lessons, primary school teachers can ensure that pupils develop a strong understanding of healthy eating, its importance, and practical skills in food preparation.
The Royal Horticultural Society is a charity established to share the best in gardening. It aims to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more-beautiful place.
Get more great resources from the RHS here and on its website at schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/home You can also follow on X (formerly Twitter) at @The_RHS
