Nutrition education made more fun and colorful in GMA’s newest edutainment show

Learning at home doesn’t have to be dull and difficult for children going back to school this year. With the help of their parents, it can be fun, colorful, and not something that everyone dreads – from teachers to students and even the parents overseeing their children. You can actually use the new normal to create memorable moments with your kids and at the same time, ensure that they are getting the education that they need in a fun and healthy way.

Learn more about your child

It is a good opportunity for you to find ways for your child to learn outside of traditional books and lessons. Kids learn in many different ways. Some respond better to visuals, others through physical, aural, or verbal methods. Educational songs and games are a great way to start. Many teachers already use these and there are good materials to be found online. Some kids respond well to stories and skits, while for others, hands-on learning is the most effective. By finding which style they can best relate to, then you can help them learn more effectively.

The new educational show Makulay ang Buhay finds ways to incorporate these different styles of teaching. GMA's newest edutainment program, produced by the station's award-winning News and Public Affairs team, knows that to help kids learn about nutrition, health, and much more, the best way to start is through songs, stories, and relatable characters who will soon be your kids’ best friends.

Makulay ang Buhay's distinct focus on teaching health and nutrition to kids at a crucial age through stories, music, and a million fun ways, creates that venue for children to really pay attention and find interest in eating what’s good for them, particularly the various vegetables that come in many different colors. This way, they can learn to make good decisions about food and health even at a young age. Watch and learn as Mom C, Benjie, Penpen the Aspin, and The Gulay Squad become part of your kid’s life.

You can regulate gadget time

Most of the home school sessions happening now are online. With the increase in screen time for kids, it is important regulate the amount of time they spend in front of gadgets. You can do this by showing them ways from which they can learn outside of their time online. Show them how the world outside the screen is equally as interesting by explaining the uses of objects around you, and using colors, sounds, and textures. Give them more chances to play and to be active. Show them how to use their hands to write, color, and create without a keypad. All these are parts of staying healthy.

Have fun with these color by number activity sheets:
Remind your kids that colorful vegetables have the power to keep their bodies strong and their minds sharp. Show them these vegetables in your own kitchen to familiarize them with the real life counterparts of these healthy items that could be part of tonight’s family dinner!

You can download the activity sheet here

You can download the activity sheet here

Upload your child’s completed coloring sheets on the Makulay Ang Buhay Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/gmamakulayangbuhay

Keep the family healthy

Healthy bodies promote healthy minds. Good nutrition means better eyesight, stronger bodies, and less sick days. Making health and nutrition priorities ensure that your kids are not only physically able to study and play, they also learn how food can affect their health, the importance of taking care of their bodies, and how it can affect their future. You can have more control over school day lunches and find opportunities to introduce more vegetables into the family meals. There’s a Lutong Nanay recipe that does just that! Color, flavor, and nutrients make this Ginataang Gulay perfect for quick lunch preparation for the family.

Camille Prats, a mom herself, knows this well, and shows us how to make this delicious dish in the first episode of Makulay ang Buhay. She makes her family's nutrition one of her top responsibilities and being the host of the program, she wants to show children, including her own, not only how important nutrition is, but also that it can be fun. She wants to help other parents find ways to keep their kids learning while staying happy and healthy. She even has cooking tips for moms!

Education at home can be colorful and healthy for the entire family! Soon, healthy eating won’t just be something learned on a fun tv show, but part of your family’s everyday life. Tune in to GMA and catch Makulay ang Buhay with your kids on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM with replays on Saturdays at 9:45 AM. You can also catch the episodes on the GMA Playground YouTube Channel!