You can never be too young to learn the principles of good health.

That’s what the teachers and students at United Preschool in Albert Lea are showing this school year with a new curriculum centered around the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project.

In what is a mini-Vitality Project pledge of sorts, the preschoolers have pledged to eat healthy, exercise, be kind to their friends and have fun every day.

Sue Erlandson, one of the teachers at the school, said each summer before the school year begins the teachers revamp the curriculum to include new elements. This year they decided to include principles of Blue Zones.

For the topic of eating healthy, the students made a huge food pyramid in the hallway of the preschool, cutting out pictures of foods and gluing them on the pyramid.

To promote positive self worth and positive feelings in the class, each child was also given a Blue Zones child — a paper child wearing a blue T-shirt — and was asked to have their parents come up with positive words for each letter in the child’s name.

Teachers are also encouraging parents to bring healthy snacks.

Erlandson said if teachers and parents can get children started at a young age to live a healthy lifestyle — become used to exercising, eating healthy and feeling good about themselves — it will become an important part of their life.

Along the topic of exercise, this year the preschool has been able to purchase a new playground from Rainbow Play Systems after numerous fundraisers and saving for many years, she said. This also promotes having fun.

The children even have a Blue Zones cheer they say with their teacher to remind them of the different parts of the pledge.

Erlandson said the children have done well with the initiative.

Numerous bulletin boards throughout the entrance of the preschool show the work they have done and how they are promoting the project.

The Vitality Project, which was announced in January, promotes making simple changes to lifestyle to create healthier, longer lives.

The pilot portion of the project wraps up Oct. 13.