Interactive homework lessons for elementary students and parents: A pilot study of nutrition expedition

Requiring active participation in nutrition education lessons at home with parents/caregivers may improve children's nutrition knowledge and adoption of healthful eating behaviors. The objective of this project was to develop interactive homework lessons for first- to fourth-grade students and their parents/caregivers and pilot test in the home setting using a collaborativ e model with Cooperative Extension Service educators serving as community p artners with classroom teachers. Lesson content and behavioral strategies e mphasized planning and assessing food choices and were based on needs asses sment data from teachers and parents/caregivers of school-aged children wit h social learning theory as the theoretical framework for lesson developmen t. Pre- and post-tests examining changes in parent and child knowledge and reported behavior showed positive changes but varied with grade level and l esson content. In future programs, the number of lessons offered and their complexity need to be carefully considered when implementing interactive ho mework lessons with families.