August 2008
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), with support from the Lidl retail chain, has launched an exciting new interactive website designed to teach foundation stage children about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.
To consolidate classroom learning, teachers can use the wealth of curriculum-based activities to help develop the issue of healthy living. Parents can access a range of quick, fun and healthy recipes to cook with their children at home.
Clare Smith, Cancer Prevention Officer at UCF says that the star of the website is Genevieve the goat, who shows children the benefits of a healthy lifestyle in a fun and memorable way.
“The aim of the resource is to reduce children’s future risk of cancer through the positive messages of eating well and taking regular exercise”, adds Clare. “The website is supported by a book called ‘Starring Genevieve’ which UCF launched earlier this year and distributed to all primary schools in Northern Ireland. You can now download the book from the website and children can enjoy a range of colouring games, videos and pictures of goats as well as learn about healthy eating and exercise.
“Teachers can go online and book a visit from Genevieve the life-sized goat and the UCF team. Our school visits are free of charge and involve plenty of practical fun learning activities including, ‘what’s a portion size?’; why eat fruit and vegetables?; food tasting and stretch and play activities.”
Oliver Martin from Lidl Northern Ireland says that the chain is delighted to be working in partnership with the UCF to bring key healthy lifestyle messages to children in Northern Ireland.
“Genevieve’s school visits are a fun way for school children to engage with and learn about the importance of a balanced diet and physical activity”, he adds.
Endorsed by the CEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment), www.genevieveni.net expands existing resources developed by UCF and Lidl. The easy recipe section of the website will be changed regularly and there will be further developments to the site throughout the academic year.
Primary 2 pupils Sam Chism and Ellie Collins, from Whiteabbey Primary School, are shown the new interactive website www.genevieveni.net by Clare Smith, cancer prevention officer with the Ulster Cancer Foundation and the star of the website, Genevieve the goat.