Media Smart Youth Program Teaches Healthy Habits

Media-Smart Youth is a Hands4Hope pilot cross-age mentoring program offered at Jackson Elementary by three H4H Teen Leaders. These dynamic leaders applied for and received a small grant from the National Institute of Health to implement the program, which covered the topic of nutrition and the media. The leaders wanted to introduce this program to a group of 5th grade students, in order to help students gain personal management skills in the areas of nutrition and physical activity prior to their transition to middle school. This interactive program empowers young people to, become aware of—and think critically about—media's role in influencing their nutrition and physical activity choices, while building skills that help them make informed decisions about being physically active and eating nutritious food in daily life. Kelly, Sarah, and Andrew are youth leaders who changed the way kids think. All three of them were drawn to the idea of educating children about media literacy and nutrition.

Kelly says, “If we can show the kids now, not only good eating habits, but how to decipher the influences that surround them, we can teach them something entirely different than what society is preaching.” Kelly is sure that the lessons she teaches the kids today, will help them later on to be a healthy, informed young adult. Being in this program has even taught her some valuable skills. “I have learned many skills that I would have never learned in a school classroom. Media-Smart Youth taught me time management, budgeting, as well as leadership.”

“What I love most about MSY is being able to dedicate a majority of my time to a cause I really care about that can benefit the kids for their whole lives”, Sarah says. These teen leaders are learning just as much as they are teaching. “I have learned how to better budget money, involve kids in engaging ways, and dedicate my time to something that is important. Working so hard on something has helped show me the importance and value of planning, time management, and dedication. “

Working in Media-Smart Youth, Andrew has learned that kids are not as educated about tempting media strategies. “Before, I thought this would be very stressful, but once we hit the ground running, it was a tremendous relief to realize this was fun and educational instead of just educational.”