The Power Behind the Play
Use this milk-focused Play to help make the connection between the healthy benefits of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods and physical activity.
How Does It Work?
The following steps are suggestions for how to complete the Play — but they can be done in any order or combination and can be altered to fit your needs. If you find ways to adapt this Play to fit your school, share it with us through the Tips section!
Huddle Up
Make Your Case
Ask the PE, health and classroom teachers to highlight the benefits of low-fat and fat-free dairy as a nutrient-rich food that provides energy students need to be active. Use the tools and resources below to highlight healthy eating options teachers can share with students.
Take Action
Poll students to learn about their habits and set goals for everyone to get the recommended number of servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy each day for a month. Host a Kickoff event in the cafeteria to highlight the results and get students interested in participating and meeting the goals.
Work the Field
Work with your team to turn the cafeteria into a football field! Cover one end with green bulletin board paper and add white yard lines and markers to create a replica of a field, complete with goal posts. Include the school mascot and school name on the field. Laminate paper footballs or helmets that students can move down the field to track their progress in meeting the goal. Each time you move a football or a helmet, add photos of active students “fueling up,” and regularly add quotes from students talking about their successes.
Celebrate Success!
When you reach the touchdown marker, celebrate success with a Touchdown Tailgate Party or Spirit Day highlighting the importance of dairy in students’ diets for healthy and active lifestyles. Have students dress in their favorite team jersey/t-shirt.
Serve snacks of delicious, nutrient-rich dairy foods, including low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt and snack cheese. Consider including other healthy eating options for your party, including whole grain muffins and fresh fruit.
Spread the Word
Get Others Involved
- Meet with key people who can help educate students about the benefits of dairy to an active lifestyle
- Set up and organize the poster/essay contest
- Organize the poll and help track student progress toward the goal
- Decorate the cafeteria
- Promote the program
Tools That Can Help With This Play
More Information on this Topic
Did You Know?
Milk is becoming one of athletes' favorite sports recovery drinks. Check out the Dairy Council of California's Milk as a Sports Drink to learn about how milk, including chocolate milk, can help athletes recover from a strong workout.
The Power Behind the Play
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