Passion for Health: Kid's Quiz Time!

Kids love to show off their knowledge on a wealth of subjects. You’ve probably run across kids who amaze you with their knowledge of dinosaur facts or baseball stats. Even young children show an aptitude for learning and remembering facts. My three-year-old son knows the difference between a front-end loader truck and an excavator and corrects me when I get it wrong. Of course, this thirst for knowledge would be unremarkable if it were only about facts. In reality, it’s about passion. My son, like the pint-sized dinosaur lover and baseball fan, has a passion for trucks, so he naturally wants to learn everything about them.

Wouldn’t it be cool if we as parents could ignite a similar passion for the human body and how to keep it healthy? We can do this by teaching kids how their bodies work and respond to exercise. Click here for more ideas on how to do this.  The next step is to challenge them with interesting questions that stimulate thought and their natural desire to “get it right.” Remember, our goal goes beyond teaching kids a few facts about the human body. Studies show that kids who know their body are more likely to take care of their body. So it may sound lofty, but we really are helping to build a foundation for lifelong health.

The following quiz questions are devised for kids aged 5 to 8. I’ve used them for years with my students during breaks between classes. Try them during long car rides, walks, waiting in line, at breakfast, or whenever you want to work on building that foundation.

(Some of these questions have more than one answer.)
 
Food for Thought

• In which food group does string cheese belong? Dairy
• Name a juice that gives you lots of vitamin C: Orange, Grapefruit
• Name a food that gives you lots of carbs: Pasta, Rice, Beans, Potatoes
• Name a food that gives you protein to build muscles: Meat, Nuts, Eggs
• Name a vegetable that helps your eyes see better: Carrots

Muscle Mania

• Where are your biceps? In your upper arms
• Where is your gluteus maximus? Your rear end
• Name a muscle in your upper body: Biceps, Pecs, Triceps, Deltoids
• Where are your deltoids? In your shoulders
• Where are your quads? In your thighs
• What muscles are you exercising when you do sit-ups? Your abs (abdominals)
• Where are your pecs? In your chest

Fitness Fun

• What does cardio mean? Heart, or exercise that gets your heart beating faster
• Name a cardio activity: Running, Dancing, Biking, Skating, Surfing, etc.
• Name a muscle activity: Monkey Bars, Push-ups, Squats, Sit-ups, etc.
• What’s the best way to start a workout? Warm-up
• What’s the best way to end a workout? Cool-down and stretch
• What’s the best thing to drink after a workout? Water
• Why is it important to exercise? To keep your heart, muscles, lungs, and mind healthy
• Why is it important to stretch? To prevent injury and stiffness

Healthy Potpourri

• Where are your lungs? In your chest
• How many chambers are in your heart? Four
• Where do you find your pulse? In your wrist or neck
• What does H2O mean? Water
• What gas does your blood carry as it travels through your body? Oxygen
• What is your body’s natural cooling system? Sweat!

Have you thought of some more questions to add to the quiz? I’d love to hear them. E-mail them to me and we’ll post them for Body Basics: Quiz #2