Teaching home economics through the primary curriculum, focusing on wise food choices and healthy snacks

Abstract

Wise food choices and healthy snacks are two important topics which are being given a lot of importance nowadays due to the fact that different research has shown that these are an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Through different studies it emerges that, there is a positive relationship between teaching such topics to young children and growing living a healthy lifestyle. This study focuses on which health related topics Year 4 state school teachers are integrating within the primary school curriculum, with focus given to wise food choices and healthy snacks. The issue of interdisciplinary teaching is also examined, including its effectiveness when dealing with integrated subjects. The findings of the study derive from a questionnaire distributed to Year 4 state school teachers and an educational intervention where, from the results of the questionnaire, four lessons were trailed with Year 4 classes in two different schools. The four lessons consisted of integrating four different topics related to wise food choices and healthy snacks in four subjects: Religion, Science, Mathematics and Physical Education. It emerged that integrating health related topics in the primary curriculum is beneficial and students find such integration interesting and meaningful, especially when the lessons are delivered using a variety of different resources and activities. On the other hand, the importance of more education aimed at teachers with regards to such health topics, is brought out since this is lacking.