![](media/image1.png){width="1.4in"
height="0.9291666666666667in"}**Water**

Group Education Lesson Plan

July-August 2001

**[[Objectives:]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

1.  Participants will be able to identify beverages high in added sugar.

2.  Participants will serve water at snacks and between meals.

3.  Participants will be able to identify two strategies for making
    drinking water fun for their child.

**[[Materials:]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

-   Participant\'s chart

-   Fit WIC Tracking Sheet

-   Water Overhead Transparencies

-   Water Goal Sheets

-   Fit WIC Calendars and Stickers

-   Water Bottle (to use as an example of educational aide)

-   Fit WIC Water Brochures (English and Spanish)

-   Examples of sugary beverages such as a soda can, package of
    Kool-Aid, etc.

-   Clear plastic cup, sugar, and teaspoon.

-   Food models showing servings of milk and juice.

**[[Discussion:]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

**Transparency 1:**

> **What do you give your child to drink?** *Did you know that what kids
> drink is as important as what they eat? Today we are going to spend
> 10-15 minutes talking about why water is a good drink for kids 2 years
> and older*.

**Transparency 2:**

> **Water helps kids grow and glow.**
>
> *Drinking water helps your child stay cool, satisfy their thirst, keep
> a healthy weight and move waste out of the body.*

**Transparency 3:**

> **Water is pure and simple.** *Water doesn\'t need any sugar or colors
> added to it.*
>
> *Busy parents like serving their children water because it is quick
> and easy. It doesn\'t require mixing and spills are easy to clean up.
> No more sticky counters! It also doesn\'t stain your child\'s clothes
> or your carpet.*

**Transparency 4:**

> **Pour good health into your child.**

-   *Water is good for your child anytime. Try serving it at snacks or
    after active play.*

**Transparency 5:**

> **Pour good health into your child*.*** *In addition to water, kids 2
> -5 years old need 2 cups of low-fat milk each day.* Use food model to
> show serving size. *Give only one small cup a juice a day.* Show juice
> serving size (4-6 oz).

**Transparency 6:**

> **Limit the amount of sweet drinks you give your child.** *Examples of
> sweet drinks are things such as sodas, fruit punch, and Kool-Aid, and
> Hi-C* (show examples). *Your child does not need the extra sugar in
> these drinks.*

**[Demonstration from Professor Popcorn Curriculum:]{.underline} How
many teaspoons of sugar in a 12 oz can of soda?**

*How much sugar do you think is in a 12-ounce can of soda?* Listen to
guesses. Then have the audience count with you as you spoon 9 teaspoons
of sugar into a clear plastic glass. *Wow! 9 teaspoons of sugar. Do kids
need this extra sugar?*

**Transparency 7:**

> **Children that drink a lot of soda, fruit flavored drinks and punches
> may:**

-   *get more cavities;*

-   *have trouble keeping a healthy weight and may become overweight;*

-   *and may be too full to eat [healthy]{.underline} foods at meals and
    snacks. Offer water instead.*

**Transparency 8:**

> *It may take some time for your child to like drinking water. To
> begin, buy less soda, fruit flavored drinks, and punches. Then try a
> few of these tips to make drinking water fun.*

-   *Serve water in a colorful cup. Make this a special cup only used
    for drinking water.*

-   *Use water bottles.*

-   *Add seltzer water to fruit juice.*

-   *Offer water with a straw.*

-   *Mix ice and fruit in the blender for a cool slush. Make sure to
    blend well remove any large chunks that may cause choking. This is a
    refreshing treat for hot days!*

> *What other ways can you think of to help your child drink more
> water?*

**Transparency 9:**

> *Most tap water is safe for healthy children and adults. If you are
> worried about your water, ask the health department about having it
> tested. If you have old plumbing, lead may be in your water. Be sure
> to let water run for a few minutes before using it for cooking or
> drinking. Use cold water. Warm water absorbs more lead.*

**Transparency 10:**

-   Help parents set goals to offer water at snacks during the next two
    months using Fit WIC Water Goals Sheets.

-   Distribute Fit WIC Calendars and show parents how to record days
    when they serve water at snacks.

-   Complete the Fit WIC Tracking Form for each participant.

-   Remind parents that they should bring their calendars to their next
    WIC appointment. If they have met their Fit WIC goal, they will get
    a toy for their child.

**Ask if there are any questions. Distribute Fit WIC Water brochure and
remind parents that the information covered today is also in the
brochure.**