Childhood obesity is a growing problem in early childhood. Child care providers can play an important role in preventing obesity by helping children stay active and learn the importance of physical activity. Here are 15 things to consider as you help the children in your child care program stay physically active.
Feeding young children healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks supports their growth and development. But what can a child care provider do when children suddenly stop eating, or refuse to try new foods, or insist on eating one specific thing for every meal? The following articles address typical changes in young children’s eating habits and food preferences at different ages, and provide some tips for ensuring that children develop healthy attitudes about food.
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Ensuring that children grow and thrive is an essential part of the child care provider’s job. Feeding infants appropriately, serving well-balanced meals and snacks, preparing and serving foods safely, providing regular opportunities for children to be physically active, and teaching healthy habits are all important ways that child care providers can support healthy eating and physical activity, and reduce the risk of childhood obesity in our youngest children.
The following articles include specific information about feeding practices, healthy food choices …
Meal and snack times in child care can be a great opportunity for introducing new foods and healthy eating habits. Eating times are also a wonderful chance for children to practice self-help skills and learn how to have mealtime conversations. Invite children to talk about their families and pets. Encourage discussions about where foods come from and discuss the colors of different foods. Show children how to set the table and count out silverware, cups and plates. Meal and snack …
Child care providers play a crucial role in helping young children learn healthy eating habits. Mealtimes and snacks in child care can be great learning opportunities for young children. Children can learn to identify and choose a variety of foods, practice language skills, and build relationships with teachers and other children. Child care providers can help make mealtimes a learning experience by setting up a relaxed, unhurried mealtime. Here are some tips to make mealtimes a relaxed and enjoyable time …
Child care providers play a key role in preventing childhood obesity by ensuring that children have access to healthy meals and snacks that meet their nutritional needs. The foods that a child care program serve to children can affect their health and well-being, and can influence their lifelong eating habits.
Children’s bodies need a variety of foods daily to get all the nutrients necessary for good health. The following five recommendations will help child care programs plan healthy meals and …
Feeding children in your child care program can be expensive. With careful planning, serving healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks that meet children’s nutritional needs does not need to break your child care budget. Here are some money-saving food tips for child care providers.
As children grow and experience new foods, child care providers may notice changes in eating habits or attitudes about certain foods. The following are important tips for child care providers to prevent unhealthy attitudes about food.
Dealing with eating challenges such as picky eaters and food “strikes” is a common challenge in child care. Remember that children grow at different rates, and their appetites, food preferences and eating habits change as they get older.
When you’re caring for a group of children, how do you know what eating behaviors are typical? Here are some of the most common milestones.
Introducing solid foods is an important milestone in infant development. Child care providers can help infants make the transition from formula or breast milk to solid foods, in partnership with the infant’s family.
Be sure to let parents take the lead on introducing solid foods, together with their child’s doctor. Work with parents to set up a feeding plan. Introduce the same new foods at the same time at home and in child care. Here are some guidelines child care …
