Provide learning opportunities to educate children and staff about physical activity and healthy eating.

Sample Activities:

• Adopt educational materials (e.g. storybooks, coloring books) that contain positive references to healthy food and physical activity.
• Incorporate breastfeeding education into early childhood programs.
• Provide training to staff on physical activity, healthy food options and the importance of modeling positive eating and activity behaviors.
• Provide and promote instruction on developmentally and culturally appropriate physical activity and nutrition.
• Provide training to staff about the importance of breastfeeding and supporting breastfeeding mothers whose children are in their care.
• Provide guidelines and training on storing, handling, and feeding of breastmilk.

Tools:

Color Me Healthy

NAP SACC

Families Eating Smart Moving More

Cooking with a Chef

Feeding Infants: A Guide for Use in the Child Nutrition Programs

Kids in Action: Fitness for Children birth-age five

NASPE Appropriate Movement Practices for Children Ages 3-5

Breastfeeding: First Step to Good Health

Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers

USDA Recipes for Child Care

Best Practices for Healthy Eating: A Guide to Help Children Grow Up Healthy

Best Practices for Nutrition, Physical Activity & Screen Media in Child Care Settings