BOSTON — A grains nutrition curriculum promoting the healthfulness of grain-based foods has been developed and is being distributed this month by the Grain Foods Foundation.

The curriculum is aimed at teachers in grades 3-6, the ages children generally form their eating habits, according to Mullen, the G.F.F. agency that oversaw creation of the curriculum.

Included in the curriculum packets are activities for the classroom and at home (with parents), two classroom posters as well as an in-class whiteboard activity to be conducted by teachers.

The G.F.F. said the curricula would be distributed in the first half of April in 16 target markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Kansas City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Nashville and Omaha.

According to the materials sent to the teachers, the program objectives are:

• to educate students on the importance of consuming grain foods, particularly whole grains, on a daily basis;
• to encourage the connection between making healthy food choices and keeping and maintaining physical health;
• to foster communication between students and their families about healthy lifestyles; and
• to help students understand the role grains play in the U.S.D.A.’s MyPlate guidelines for good health.

The curriculum also includes messages about the health benefits of enriched grains.

The curriculum may be found here.