Historically, USDA has provided consumers with dietary guidance dating back more than 100 years. While the new MyPyramid is the most updated form of federal nutrition guidance for consumers, MyPyramid for Kids represents the first adaptation directly targeted to children ages 6-11.

Developing the Children’s Materials – Reaching Our Target Audience

MyPyramid for Kids was developed to increase the recognition and use of MyPyramid by children. Elementary school teachers will be able to utilize the information in their classrooms to teach children the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.

MyPyramid for Kids includes focused messages and age-appropriate educational materials. The information will be delivered to children in the classroom, schools, cafeterias, homes, communities, and media.

The development process for the food guidance system included the following elements:

1. Design - A child-friendly graphic, slogan, messages and educational materials were developed.
2. Consumer testing - As part of the design and development process, potential images and messages were tested with teachers of grades 1-6 and children ages 6-11 to determine how well they communicated the intended content and how appealing they were to the target audience.

The following educational tools were developed:

• MyPyramid for Kids poster is a 2-sided poster. Teachers can choose the side that is most appropriate for their students. One side of the poster highlights a simplified MyPyramid for Kids graphic. The other side features both the MyPyramid for Kids graphic and healthy eating and physical activity messages.
• Tips for Families is a 2-sided handout with the MyPyramid for Kids graphic and messages on one side and eating and physical activity tips on the other.
• MyPyramid for Kids Classroom Materials are educational materials developed to help elementary school children learn the MyPyramid Food Guidance System. Lesson plans for teachers are available in three levels: Level 1 (grades 1-2); Level 2 (grades 3-4); and Level 3 (grades 5-6). Classroom materials include:
  • Teacher’s Guide including lesson plans with reproducible worksheets. Also includes: A Close Look at MyPyramid for Kids, a step-by-step explanation of the key concepts of the MyPyramid for Kids graphic
  • CD with interactive MyPyramid Blast-Off Game
  • MyPyramid for Kids poster
  • Tips for Families take home flyer
  • Fruit and Vegetable Challenge poster packet (Level 1)
  • CD including the lesson plans, reproducible worksheets, A Close Look at MyPyramid for Kids, and Tips for Families. Power Panther™ songs and MyPyramid for Kids art and illustrations are also included.

MyPyramid Blast Off Game – available on CD-Rom and also accessed through the MyPyramid.gov and teamnutrition.usda.gov websites. MyPyramid Blast Off is an interactive computer game that reinforces the key concepts of MyPyramid for Kids by allowing students to select a variety of foods (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks) and physical activities. Students are challenged to reach Planet Power by fueling their rockets with food and physical activities appropriate for their needs.


This page was last updated on November 04, 2008 02:15 PM