Preschoolers learning healthy lesson at East Side House Settlement

Daily News | Bronx
BY TANYANIKA SAMUELS

Students at East Side House Settlement early childhood education program will be learning the ABC's of healthy eating habits.

Some Bronx preschoolers and their parents soon will be learning the ABCs of staying healthy.

The East Side House Settlement in Mott Haven has partnered with the Children's Museum of Manhattan to add health education classes to the Bronx group's early childhood literacy program.

"A sick child can't learn and will not have the energy and attention span that children who are better fed and healthier have," said John Sanchez, who heads the nonprofit, which provides education services to students and families. "This ties in neatly to our work."

East Side House Settlement and the Children's Museum of Manhattan have been working together for the last three years to offer the literacy program for preschool children.

Families voluntarily participate in three hour-long classes a week, where instructors use art, music and storytelling to help children learn. Families also receive a book each week to practice what they've learned.

The literacy program, which is offered at three Bronx housing sites, reaches about 55 to 60 families each year.

"The children learn that learning is fun, and the parents learn that teaching children is fun," Sanchez said. Now the plan is to add fun lessons about healthy habits.

Organizers are fund-raising and working on a curriculum in hopes of rolling out the new program by spring. The goal is to make learning about healthy eating habits exciting, said Andrew Ackerman, who heads the Children's Museum.

"No one wants to be lectured at," he said. "We want to make this fun and embracing. People learn better when they're happy and enjoying themselves."

It is important to start these lessons early, said Leslie Bushara, deputy director of education at the Children's Museum.

"We've learned that reaching children when they're very young and parents with young children is really a critical step in changing any patterns in behavior," Bushara said.

Organizers said this could be a positive step forward to reversing trends that plague the area.

According to city health statistics, the Bronx has the highest obesity rate of all the boroughs, with about 42% of elementary school students considered overweight or obese.

"If we can get families to choose fruit over dessert or even water over soda, we can make a real difference," Bushara said.

Sanchez agreed, adding that these classes are especially needed in the South Bronx.

"The South Bronx is not a place where healthy eating options are very available, and preventative care and advice is even more scarce," he said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children."

The Children's Museum of Manhattan was honored recently by acting Surgeon General Steven Galson for its work in preventing childhood obesity.