4-H Healthy Living Curricula

Recommended Healthy Living Curriculum

Social-Emotional Health 

Money Talks

Developed by the University of California
Grades 8-12
Available from: MoneyTalks.ucanr.edu
Cost: Free download
Money Talks for Teens is a bilingual (English/Spanish) money management curriculum aimed at teens 14-18 years old and the adults who work with them. The materials provide teens accurate, non-biased information and hands-on experiences in financial management.

Health Rocks!®

Developed by University of Nebraska     
Grades 5-8

Shop 4-H - Health Rocks Beginner Level 2019 edition - $10.50

Shop 4-H - Health Rocks Intermediate Level 2019 edition - $11.50

Shop 4-H - Health Rocks! Set - Beginner & Intermediate level - $20.50

Spanish

Shop 4-H - Health Rocks! Nivel Inicio 2019 edition - $13.50

Shop 4-H - Health Rocks! Nivel Intermedio 2019 edition - $14.50

Shop 4-H - Health Rocks! Set - Nivel Inicio & Intermedio - $26.50

Health Rocks!® is a three-part series of leader's curricula for a healthy living program, with the goal of bringing youth, families and communities across the United States together to reduce tobacco, alcohol and drug use by youth. Health Rocks! helps youth develop life skills in the area of critical thinking, decision-making, communication, managing feelings, stress management and goal setting to help them resist risky behaviors. The program is designed to be facilitated by teen/adult teams.

Strengthening Families Program

Developed by Iowa State University
Ages 10-14 and their parents
Available from: Iowa State University - Strengthening Families Program
Cost: varies
This curriculum is designed to prevent teen substance abuse, decrease problem behaviors in teens, strengthen parenting skills and strategies and build family strengths.

Nutrition and Fitness 

4-H Cooking 101, 201, 301, and 401

Developed by the University of Illinois 
Grades (series available for all ages) 
Available from: Shop 4-H - Healthy Living & Foods Curriculum
Cost: varies
Youth learn how to use MyPlate while increasing cooking skills (food safety, measuring, mixing, etc.) 

Healthalicious Cooking

Developed by the University of California
Grades 4-6
Available from: UC ANR Catalog - Healthalicious Cooking: Learning About Food and Physical Activity: Introduction
Cost: Free download
This afterschool curriculum is a perfect setting for promoting a healthy lifestyle that includes good foods and plenty of physical activity, helping kids build good health skills that will last a lifetime. The 6-week, hands-on curriculum is designed to give 9- to 12-year-olds a fun introduction to preparing and eating healthy meals.

EatFit

Developed by the University of California
Grades 7-12
Available from: UC ANR catalog - EatFit Student Workbook
Cost: $20.00
This nine-lesson curriculum provides hands-on activities that teach youth the skills they need to meet their goals. It is behaviorally focused and thus includes activities that help students to gain the insight and awareness required to change their current food related behaviors.

Nutrition to Grow On

Developed by the University of California in partnership with the California Department of Education
Grades 4-6
Available from: California Dept. of Education - Nutrition to Grow On
Cost: Free download
Nine lessons are designed to teach children and their families about nutrition by relating each lesson to a garden activity. The curriculum uses the garden to integrate disciplines, including science, mathematics, language arts, history, environmental studies and nutrition, while reinforcing California content standards.

Jump Into Foods and Fitness

Developed by Michigan State University   
Grades 3-5     
Available from: http://shop.msu.edu/product_p/bulletin-4h1602.htm
Cost: $20.00
This curriculum teaches kids about healthy food choices, increased physical activity and food safety. It is designed to be implemented by adults and older teems. "Jiff the Joey" sets the stage for each of the eight "Kangaroo Jumps" or sessions, utilizing the MyActivity Pyramid and the MyPyramind for Kids.

Food, Culture, and Reading

Developed by University of Vermont          
Grades 4-6   
Available from: Shop 4-H - Food, Culture & Reading Facilitators Guide
Cost: $12.50
Food, Culture, and Reading is a nutrition education program targeted to youth in grades four to six. It uses literature to learn about food, nutrition, healthy living, and different cultures. Countries featured include the United States, Mexico, Russia, Kenya, Greece, and Japan, and each unit is based on a different food group. Each unit includes a family take-home sheet which provides nutritional information, activities and recipes for families to do at home. 

Up for the Challenge

Developed by University of Maryland
Grades K-12
Available from: 4-H Military Partnership - Up for the Challenge: Lifetime Fitness, Healthy Decisions
Cost: Free download
Up for the Challenge is a fitness, nutrition and health curriculum for school-aged, middle school and teen youth. It was written for military afterschool programs but is easily adaptable to any afterschool or 4-H club setting. The 290-page curriculum is divided into five chapters with each chapter containing multiple lessons in physical activity, nutrition and healthy decision making. Each lesson provides expected youth outcomes, instructor essential information, preparation instructions, supplies, lesson time, handouts and opportunities for reflection.

Afterschool Agriculture – Acres of Adventure I

Developed by Ohio State University
Grades 3-5
Available from: Shop 4-H - Afterschool Agriculture Acres of Adventure 1
Cost: $9.95
Adults and older youth will enjoy using these lesson plans to quickly engage youth in learning-by-doing agriculture activities within the following thematic units including Plant Detectives, Mystery Agriculture, All About Agriculture, Fast Food Agriculture. Youth learn important concepts around food safety and food production.

Eating From the Garden

Developed by University of Missouri
Grades 4-5
Available from: University of Missouri Extension - Eating from the Garden Curriculum
Eating From the Garden provides research-based information to high-needs youth in schools and community programs. Through nutrition and gardening activities, Eating From the Garden aims to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. With help from area partners and volunteers, the program also promotes healthier food choices, gardening knowledge and physical activity.

 STEPS to a Healthy Teen

Developed by the National 4-H Council 
Grades 8-12
Shop 4-H - Steps to a Healthy Teen: 5 Youth Guides & 1 Facilitator Guide - $47.95

Shop 4-H - Steps to a Healthy Teen: Youth Guide & Facilitator Guide - $18.95

Shop 4-H - Steps to a Healthy Teen: Youth Notebook - $8.95

Shop 4-H - Steps to a Healthy Teen: Facilitator Guide - $10.95

This curriculum consists of 10 interactive activities that help youth develop skills and knowledge in physical fitness and nutrition. Youth are engaged in a variety of learning methods and tools such as games, case scenarios, computer software programs, cooking demonstrations, and fitness challenges.