Chapter Five

Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Build Strong Bones and Teeth
76
Lesson Preview
77
Background Information
78
Reading Activity
79
Music, Poetry & Finger Play Activity Dem Bones (song)
80-81
Rice and Milk (song)
Arroz con leche (song)
Physical Activity
Strong Bones Simon Says
82
Exploratory Activity
Strong Bones and Teeth
83-89
Craft Activity
Pasta Skeleton
90
Coloring Activity
Snack Activity
91
Yogurt-Fruit Smoothie
92
Quiz
93
Parent Handout
94
Parent Handout (Spanish)
95
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Lesson Preview
Summary
Reading the featured book introduces parents and children to a lesson about foods that provide calcium and other nutrients needed for healthy bones and teeth. They will learn the importance of vitamin D and exercise for building strong bones.
Objectives
Children and parents will:
•
Know that green leafy vegetables and dairy foods contain the minerals needed to build
strong bones and teeth.
•
Choose low-fat sources of calcium for children over 2 years old.
•
Know that exercise builds strong bones.
Lesson Message
Build Strong Bones and Teeth
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Background Information
•
This information is for the instructor’s benefit - may be shared informally with group participants.
Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being built, broken down and made anew. Throughout life,
bones are taking up and releasing calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other minerals, a cycle
that is influenced by a variety of factors, including diet and exercise habits.
Eating for bones & teeth:
• Milk and milk products are sources of Vitamin B12, potassium, protein, vitamin D, riboflavin,
calcium and phosphorus.
• Vitamin C from citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, and other fruits and vegetables is essential for
making collagen, the connective tissue that minerals cling to when bone is formed.
• Vitamin K is thought to stimulate bone formation. It is found most abundantly in dark leafy
greens like kale and spinach, but is also readily available in beans, soy products, and some
fruits and vegetables.
• Potassium decreases the loss of calcium from the body and increases the rate of bone building.
Oranges, bananas, potatoes, and many other fruits, vegetables and beans are all rich sources
of potassium.
• Magnesium, like calcium, is an important bone mineral. Studies have shown higher magnesium
intakes to be associated with stronger bones. “Beans and greens”—legumes and green leafy
vegetables—are excellent sources of magnesium.
• Vitamin D is a hormone produced by sunlight on the skin. It controls your body's use of calcium
and is an important player in bone building. About 15 minutes of sunlight each day normally
produces all the vitamin D children need to build strong bones.
By their fourth or fifth birthdays, many children grow out of their ability to digest lactose (milk
sugar). Drinking milk can cause stomach pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable
symptoms in lactose-intolerant children. There are special lactose-reduced dairy products and
enzyme pills available for people who are lactose intolerant. Yogurt that contains live cultures is a
good source of calcium and can be easier to digest than milk—even for those who are lactose
intolerant.
Exercise gives bones a reason to live. When bones are put to work, especially in weight-bearing
activities (exercise in which you support the weight of your own body) such as running, soccer,
basketball and weightlifting, bones respond by becoming stronger and denser. Engaging in
physical activity may be the most helpful thing children can do to promote bone health. A recent
study published in the medical journal, Pediatrics, found that sedentary teens had lower bone
density by age 18 than those who engaged in regular physical activity.
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Reading Activity
Read Aloud Story Time
Refer to “Story Time Tips” (see Appendix).
Tip To Teach
Exercise builds strong bones! Green leafy
vegetables and milk contain the calcium and
minerals needed to build strong bones & teeth.
Whole milk, cheese, and butter have calcium,
but have a lot of saturated fat, too.
For Preschool—Kindergarten:
It Looked Like Spilt Milk,
by Charles G. Shaw (ISBN: 0064431592)
Sample questions to engage children and introduce lesson topic:
1. Was it really a rabbit?
2. What do you think can look like spilt milk, a sheep or an angel?
3. Have you ever seen clouds that look like something else?
For Grades 1-3:
Milk: From Cow to Carton, by Aliki (ISBN: 0064451119)
La Leche: De La Vaca Al Envase, by Aliki (ISBN: 8426127576—Spanish)
Sample questions to engage children and introduce lesson
topic:
1. Where does milk come from?
2. Have you ever seen a real cow?
3. What do cows eat?
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Music, Poetry and Finger Play Activity
Dem Bones (song)
Sing to: "Dem bones"
The toe bone connected to da foot bone,
The foot bone connected to da ankle bone,
The ankle bone connected to da leg bone
The leg bone connected to da knee bone,
The knee bone connected to da thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to da hip bone,
The hip bone connected to da back bone,
The back bone connected to da neck bone,
The neck bone connected to da head bone,
Oh, build good healthy bones!
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk aroun'
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk aroun'
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk aroun'
Oh, build good healthy bones!
The head bone connected to da neck bone,
The neck bone connected to da back bone,
The back bone connected to da hip bone,
The hip bone connected to da thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to da knee bone,
The knee bone connected to da leg bone,
The leg bone connected to da foot bone,
The foot bone connected to da toe bone,
Oh, build good healthy bones!
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Music, Poetry and Finger Play Activity
Rice and Milk (Puetro Rican song)
Sing to: Arroz con leche
I’m Rice and Milk, I’d like to be wed,
To a good little widow who bakes fine bread.
Who knows how to sew and knows how to weave,
And in the bell tower her needle does keep.
Ting-a-ling, ting-along. Ting-a-ling, ting-a-long.
With her I will marry, with her I belong.
I am the king’s daughter, a good widow, too.
I’d like to get married, I know not to whom.
With you sir, it’s yes. With you sir, it’s no.
With you dear, I’ll marry—let’s be married soon.
Arroz con leche
Arroz con leche se quiere casar
Con una viudita de la capital,
Que sepa coser, que sepa border,
Que ponga la aguja en el campanar.
Tilin, tilan, sopitas de pan.
Alla viene Juan, comiendose el pan.
Arroz con leche is a favorite LatinAmerican tune that is also a game. A
widow is chosen to be in the center of
a circle of children. The children hold
hands and circle around her as she
chooses a husband. The widow trades
places with the husband, and the game
starts again.
Yo soy la viudita, la hija del rey,
Me quiero casar y no encuentro con quien:
Contigo, mi vida, me casare yo.
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Physical Activity
Strong Bones Simon Says
Directions:
Explain that you will be playing “Simon Says” with weight-bearing
exercises that build strong bones. Be the first “Simon” in order to
demonstrate the type of moves that build bones.
Play:
Simon says, run in place!
(children run in place)
Simon says, jump up & down!
(children jump up & down)
Simon says, skip!
(children skip)
Hop on one foot!
(anyone who hops is out)
Tip To Teach
Set a good example!
You and your kids can
go for a bike ride, play
ball together, do some
gardening or dance to
music and get silly.
Have fun together!
Simon says hop on the other foot (children hop on one foot)
Do jumping jacks
(anyone who does jumping jacks is out)
Simon says, do jumping jacks!
(children do jumping jacks)
Simon says freeze!
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Exploratory Activity
Strong Bones and Teeth
Supplies:
•
MyPyramid poster or handout, (available from www.MyPyramid.gov, or in Appendix)
•
“Recipe for Strong Bones” posters (see following pages):
(Exercise + Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium & Protein + Vitamin D = Strong Bones)
•
tape
•
board and markers
Directions:
•
Ask children to locate the milk group on MyPyramid poster.
•
Ask children why they think their parents tell them to drink their milk.
Answer: For strong bones
Explain that bones are living tissue (like skin). Growing children need calcium and
other minerals every day to grow strong bones and teeth.
•
Ask for examples of dairy foods that contain calcium. List on the board.
(milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese)
•
Did you know that 1% or non-fat milk is much healthier than 2% milk? A cup of 2% milk
has 5g of fat and 1% has only 2g of fat. Non-fat milk, of course, has none!
•
Ask if anyone is allergic to milk.
•
Ask if they know of any non-dairy foods with calcium. List on board.
(Broccoli, Almonds, Beans, Green leafy vegetables)
•
Point to kids exercising on MyPyramid poster.
Explain that weight-bearing exercise helps build strong bones. Weight-bearing
exercise is exercise in which you support the weight of your own body. Give examples
of weight-bearing exercises (running, jumping rope, jumping jacks, walking, etc.)
•
Vitamin D is important for bone growth and health. Milk is fortified with vitamin D and you
can get vitamin D from the sun shining on your skin. Just 15 minutes of sunshine a day
will give you all the vitamin D you need.
•
Put up the “Recipe for Strong Bones” posters (see following pages) to reinforce the recipe
for healthy bones (Exercise + Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium & Protein + Vitamin D =
Strong Bones).
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Exploratory Activity
Recipe for Strong Bones
Exercise
P. 84
Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Exploratory Activity
Recipe for Strong Bones
Plus
P. 85
Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Exploratory Activity
Recipe for Strong Bones
Foods with vitamins and minerals
(calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein)
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Exploratory Activity
Recipe for Strong Bones
Plus
P. 87
Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Exploratory Activity
Recipe for Strong Bones
Vitamin D
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Exploratory Activity
Recipe for Strong Bones
P. 89
Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Craft Activity
Pasta Skeleton
Supplies:
•
several different types of pasta, dried beans and lentils, like macaroni, pasta tubes,
spaghetti, tiny shells and wagon wheels
•
black construction paper
•
white glue
Directions:
1. Glue pasta and beans to paper with glue in the shape of a skeleton. Suggest they lay out
their “bones” first before gluing.
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Coloring Activity
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Snack Activity
Yogurt-Fruit Smoothie
Check for food allergies.
Before eating or handling food, have children wash their hands with soap and water.
Ingredients (per person):
•
1/2 cup 100% orange juice
•
1/2 banana
•
6 strawberries
•
1/2 cup non-fat yogurt
•
1 tsp. ground flax seed
•
ice
Directions:
1. In a blender, process all the ingredients until
thoroughly mixed. Serve.
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Quiz
Circle the correct answer:
1. Which calcium rich food is lowest in fat?
Ice cream
Green vegetables
Cheese
2. Which milk is healthiest for kids over 2 years old?
Whole Milk
2% Milk
1% or Non-fat Milk
3. Before today, did you know which milk is healthiest for kids over 2 years old?
No
Yes
4. Before today, did you know that exercise builds strong bones?
No
Yes
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Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Parent Handout
STRONG BONES AND TEETH
Your child needs exercise, calcium, minerals and vitamins
to build strong bones and teeth. The important time to
build strong bones is during childhood and the teen years.
Milk Servings Per Day
Infant-1 year:
1-2 years:
2-8 years:
8 years + up:
breast milk or formula only
2 cups whole milk
2 cups 1% or non-fat
3 cups 1% or non-fat
Foods with Calcium
Vitamin D
Milk and Dairy
•
yogurt
Vitamin D helps the body use calcium to build
bones. This vitamin is different - the body makes
vitamin D when sunlight hits your skin!
•
cheese
Foods with Vitamin D:
•
cottage cheese
•
•
milk (1% or non-fat for kids over 2)
•
•
Milk and Dairy Free
•
kale
•
beans
•
collard greens
•
chickpeas
•
Chinese cabbage
•
almonds
•
broccoli
•
canned salmon and sardines with bones
•
orange juice and soy milk with added calcium
egg yolks
fish oils
milk and soy milk with Vitamin D added
How to Get More Calcium in Your Kids
•
Add beans to your child's favorite soups.
•
Top salads or cereals with sliced almonds.
•
Serve whole beans or low-fat refried beans in
corn tortillas.
•
Pour a glass of calcium-fortified juice for
breakfast.
Exercise
Exercise is very important to bone health. Weight-bearing exercises such as
jumping rope, jogging and walking help build and keep bones strong.
P. 94
Lesson 5: Calcium Rich Foods
Parent Handout (Spanish)
Lección 5: Alimentos Ricos en Calcio / Manual para Padres
HUESOS Y DIENTES FUERTES
Su hijo necesita hacer ejercicio, calcio, minerales y vitaminas para que tengan huesos y dientes fuertes. El período más importante cuando sus huesos de desarrollan fuertes es durante la infancia hasta los diez años.
Porciones de Leche Diaria:
Bebé – 1 año: solamente leche materna o fórmula
1 – 2 años:
2 tazas de leche entera
2 – 8 años:
2 tazas de leche al 1% o descremada
8 años en adelante: 3 tazas de leche baja en grasas, al 1% o descremada
Alimentos con Calcio
Vitamina D
Leche y productos lácteos
La vitamina D ayuda a que el cuerpo asimile el
calcio necesario para los huesos. Esta
vitamina es diferente – el cuerpo hace su
propia vitamina D con la luz del sol en tu piel!
•
Yogurt
•
Queso
•
Queso cottage
•
Leche (al 1% y
descremada para niños de más de 2 años)
Alimentos con Vitamina D:
Leche y productos lácteos
•
kale
•
frijoles
•
collard greens
•
garbanzos
•
colecitas chinas
•
almendras
•
broccoli
•
salmón y sardinas en lata
•
jugo de naranja, y leche de soya con calcio
•
Yemas de huevo
•
Aceite de pescado
•
Leche y leche de soya con vitamina D
Cómo hacer que su niño coma más calcio
•
Agregue frijoles a las sopas favoritas de sus
hijos
•
Póngale a las ensaladas o cereales pedacitos
de almendras
•
Sirva frijoles enteros o frijoles refritos bajos
en grasa en tortillas de maíz
•
Déles un vaso de jugo fortificado con calcio
en el desayuno
HAGA EJERCICIO
El ejercicio es muy importante para tener huesos saludables Ejercicios de
resistencia como saltar la cuerda, trotar y caminar pueden ayudarle a que sus
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