NSTEP’s EAT WALK LIVE program was developed to build sustainability and capacity through professional development for teaching staff. The program consists of:

• Professional Development (PD) sessions
• Classroom follow-up sessions
• Snack Attacks

Through fun and interactive games tailored to each grade, students learn about nutrition and physical activity. These games and activities are taught by both the teachers and school staff, as well as our NSTEP coordinators.

Students also participate in Snack Attacks, where student leaders (health champions from grades 1-6) are taught how to make a healthy snack. The student leaders take the healthy snack into the classroom and share knowledge with their peers a simple way for all kids to make healthy snacks at home. We believe that this interactive teaching cycle fosters a positive learning environment and student leadership within the school.

Simple assessment tools are used with the students and results are reported back to both the school and parents. Many of the assessment tools are linked to other areas of the school core curriculum.

• EAT — More from the 3 Food Groups Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating
• WALK — Move your body and find different ways to get active
• LIVE — Live happier, healthier, and longer

NSTEP Teen Brain builds on the foundation of the elementary NSTEP EAT WALK LIVE program.

The Teen Brain program includes:

• Knowledge transfer to teachers (format determined by each school)
• 4 Teen Brain presentations for students building on curriculum from grades 7-12.

The content of the program includes:

• Neurological physiological changes happening to the teen brain
• Physical activity and its benefits for teen brains
• Healthy eating and hydration
• Body image and self-esteem
• Mental well being and growth mind-set
• Stress and strategies to de-stress
• Sleep and the brain
• Other topics that the school wants included based on their needs (example: screentime)