### Lesson Plan: Foods We Eat II - Nature Study for Toddlers
#### Objective:
To help toddlers explore and learn about various types of foods, focusing on fruits, vegetables, and other natural food sources, thereby promoting healthy eating habits and an understanding of where food comes from.
#### Duration:
45 minutes
#### Materials:
- Plush or plastic fruits and vegetables
- Real fruits and vegetables (washed and cut into small, safe pieces)
- A picture book about foods (e.g., "Eating the Alphabet" by Lois Ehlert)
- Flashcards with images of various fruits, vegetables, and natural foods
- Simple coloring sheets of fruits and vegetables
- Crayons and child-safe scissors
- Small plates and napkins
- Magnifying glasses (optional)
#### Activities:
1. **Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)**
- **Greeting song:** Sing a simple greeting song to welcome the children.
- **Introduction to the topic:** Briefly explain that today’s lesson will be about the foods we eat and where they come from. Use simple words and gestures to make it engaging.
2. **Story Time (10 minutes)**
- **Book Reading:** Read a picture book about foods. Show them the pictures and ask simple questions to keep them engaged. For example, "Can you find the apple?" or "What color is this banana?"
3. **Show and Tell (10 minutes)**
- **Show Real Foods:** Show the real fruits and vegetables you have prepared. Pass them around (with supervision) so children can touch, smell, and look closely at them. Use magnifying glasses for a fun, close-up view.
- **Discussion:** Briefly discuss where each food comes from (e.g., tree, bush, underground) and its color, shape, and texture. Use simple language.
4. **Healthy Snack Time (10 minutes)**
- **Taste Test:** Offer small, safe pieces of the real fruits and vegetables for the children to taste. Encourage them to try new things. Discuss the different flavors and textures.
- Encourage children to describe the taste using words like "sweet," "sour," "crunchy," etc.
5. **Interactive Game (5 minutes)**
- **Fruit and Vegetable Flashcard Game:** Show flashcards of different fruits and vegetables. Ask children to name them if they can. Make it fun and energetic by cheering for their efforts.
6. **Art and Craft (10 minutes)**
- **Coloring Activity:** Provide simple coloring sheets of fruits and vegetables. Help them identify each one before they start coloring.
- Encourage creativity by allowing them to choose their favorite colors for the fruits and vegetables.
7. **Conclusion and Goodbye Song (5 minutes)**
- **Recap:** Briefly recap the names of the fruits and vegetables discussed.
- **Goodbye Song:** Sing a goodbye song together to end the lesson on a positive note.
#### Follow-up Activity (Optional):
- **Home Connection:** Encourage parents to continue the learning at home by involving children in preparing simple fruit or vegetable snacks.
#### Tips:
- Keep the lesson dynamic and engaging to cater to toddlers' short attention spans.
- Ensure all activities are safe and age-appropriate.
- Use lots of praise and positive reinforcement.
By the end of the lesson, toddlers should have had a fun and educational experience, learning about different foods, tasting new things, and engaging in creative activities.