The Ohio State University Extension offers an afterschool program focused on healthy living for middle school youth, providing lessons one hour a week at no cost. The program aims to create a supportive environment while enhancing participants' leadership, communication, and citizenship skills through various health-related topics. Feedback from students indicates that they found the program enjoyable and reported making healthier food choices and feeling better equipped to manage stress.

1. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Teaching Healthy Living through
Afterschool Programming
Heather L. Gottke, 4-H Educator

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Description of Program
Lessons were delivered one time a
week for 60 minutes at a time.
Lessons were conducted after school
hours as an optional activity free of
charge to youth. Youth involved in the
program were in grades 6-8 at the
local middle school in the community.
Delivery methods were lecture and
hands-on workshop learning.
Program utilized youth in grades 9-12
to help with preparation and
individualized attention.

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Goals of the Program
1. To provide youth with a safe, welcoming environment to spend time
learning and exploring healthy living topics with their peers and trusted
adults.
2. Increase the skills and knowledge of youth in the areas of leadership,
communication, and citizenship through healthy living topics.
3. Demonstrate healthy living through various topics in a way that is
easily adopted.
4. Compare strategies for healthy living in physical, mental, and
emotional health.
5. Prepare youth to process through stressful events, and every day
stressors appropriately.
6. Have youth self-select healthy options after completion of activities.

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
How did I get in?
1. School was looking for an afterschool option on Wednesdays from
3:00-4:00pm to offer to youth.
2. 4-H volunteer helping is a teacher with the middle school.
3. Free of cost through use of grants from Ohio 4-H Foundation.

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Lesson Plans
Lesson plans have been created (but not peer-reviewed as of current) for
other 4-H professionals and/or volunteers to replicate the program.
Health, Nutrition & Fitness
 Germs & Handwashing
 Yoga
 Kitchen Measurements & Snacks
 First Aid
 Water First for Thirst
 Getting up & Moving
 Planting Flowers
Social and Emotional Well-Being
 Healthy Relationships
 Worrying
 Stress
 International Foods
 Table Setting & Manners
 Teamwork
Lesson plans are divided into the 2 areas set by National 4-H.

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Evaluation
 Youth from the program described their experiences as fun and
interesting.
 Youth from the program indicated that they chose healthier snacks after
learning about portion sizes.
 Youth from the program indicated that they chose healthier beverages
after learning about the amount of sugar in their beverages.
 A majority of the youth indicated that they were more willing to try food
from other countries than before learning about them.
 Youth indicated that they felt more prepared to handle stress after
learning techniques for relaxation.
 Youth indicated that they enjoyed learning about yoga and had tried it
outside of the program.

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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Where to Find Lessons & Contact Info
http://go.osu.edu/hlafterschool
Heather Gottke.4@osu.edu