Public Health England has developed resources for early years and primary schools across England as part of its Change4Life campaign.
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Created for use in English and Maths lessons, the resources will help children and their families understand how much sugar is in their food and drink and encourage making healthier swaps to reduce sugar intake.
The Change4Life early years lesson plan includes activities encouraging children to spot sugar cube invaders, use maths skills to find healthier swaps, and learn a new rhyme.
More resources are available for Reception, Key Stage 1 and upper and lower Key Stage 2 pupils.
The English lesson plans for schools introduce children to the characters of ‘Sugar Smart World’ through interactive PowerPoints, pupil-led activities, recipe ideas from around the world and a video.
Change4Life Maths lessons aim to help children make healthier swaps using problem-solving skills and addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.
The lesson plans are designed to be used alongside recently launched Change4Life dental lesson plans, which aim to help children understand the effects of sugar consumption on teeth.
The launch of the resources comes as Public Health England has said children are consuming 2,800 excess sugar cubes each year, while the average 10-year-old has already consumed at least 18 years’ worth of sugar.
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said, ‘Children are consuming too much sugar and obesity is a very real threat to their health. Educating them on the importance of a healthy balanced diet in their early years can help them avoid serious illness in future.
‘By making simple swaps each day, children can have healthier versions of everyday foods and drinks, while significantly reducing their sugar intake.’
