Balanced Nutrition through Cartoons: A Qualitative Study of Primary School Students’ and Parents' Perspectives

The primary aim of this study is to examine the perspectives and awareness of 2nd-grade primary school students and their parents regarding balanced nutrition based on cartoons, as well as to gather students’ opinions on this subject. For this purpose, in this qualitative research, four class hours of the Life Sciences course taught by a 2nd-grade teacher from a public school in Istanbul, Turkey, were observed. The products created by a total of 37 students during these lessons were analyzed from different perspectives. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 15 parents. All collected data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings obtained from interviews and document analysis revealed that students’ views and awareness about nutrition through cartoons increased after the lessons. Parents reported that cartoon-based activities led to positive changes in their children’s attitudes toward healthy eating and noticeable behavioral changes at home. Interviews with parents and students indicated that their perspectives and awareness regarding cartoon-based balanced nutrition contributed to increased consciousness about healthy eating. The results demonstrate that cartoons can be effectively used as a pedagogical tool across various disciplines and play a significant role in fostering healthy lifestyle habits.