Fitness for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Did you know that May is Physical Fitness and Sports Month? As toddlers and preschoolers build new skills and have a greater ability to move around more, it’s important that caregivers encourage physical activity and make sure they get the amount necessary for their fitness. Our partners at Nemours share information on how much activity toddlers and preschoolers require and they provide tips on some fun games you can tryout in your child care.
Culinary Basics: Mise En Place
If you are not a chef or lack a culinary background, the term “mise en place” may seem like French to you. However, it is a necessary skill to utilize in all kitchens (big and small) when preparing meals. The Institute of Child Nutrition’s May Mealtime Memo will define the term and identify the steps to maximize efficiency and reduce errors in the kitchen.
Learn and Grow: Inside, Outside, On the Go
Whether inside, outside, or on the go, children can move their bodies, explore basic concepts in math and science, build language skills, and develop social skills. Out partners at Sesame Street in Communities have new bilingual (English and Spanish) resources including a set of activity cards and a new interactive game.
Reducing Added Sugars
The sweetness of sugar may tempt our tastebuds, but the health consequences of eating too much sugar are concerning, especially for children whose dietary habits and taste preferences are still developing. The Institute ofChild Nutrition’s April Mealtime Memo uncovers the secrets of added sugars and equip you with the knowledge to identify them in the products you consume.
Get Kids Eating Veggies Early and Often
Babies aren’t born liking veggies, but little ones can learn to love vegetables through early and often exposure to carrots, green beans, broccoli, peas, squash, artichokes, and more! Our partners at Partnership for a Healthier America share why vegetables are so important to children’s diets and give simple tips for teaching kids to eat and love vegetables.
Shared Reading
Language is a key part of early childhood education and helps lay the foundation for success in school. Reading storybooks and discussing them has been proven to enhance caregiver-child literacy interactions, ignite children’s reading enthusiasm, and develop their literacy skills. Our partners at Sesame Street in Communities have new bilingual resources to help with shared reading.
Best Practices to Improve Nutrition
March is a month to celebrate nutrition and wellness. It is also a time to educate and bring awareness to the CACFP. This Mealtime Memo from our partners at the Institute of Child Nutrition provides the USDA optional best practices you can use to strengthen the nutritional quality of meals served.
Family Style Meal Service with Children in the CACFP
USDA Team Nutrition recently announced their new Family Style Meal Service with Children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program resources. This new suite of resources includes training materials, social media graphics, classroom posters, and original photos.
Leap into Learning: Read Aloud Challenge
How often do you read aloud to the children in your care? Reading aloud to young children, particularly in an engaging manner, promotes emerging literacy and language development and supports the relationship between child and parent/caregiver.
Be Good to Your Heart with Fruits and Vegetables
Did you know February is American Heart Month? Although February may be ending soon, you can be good to your heart year-round by incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet. Our partners at the Produce for Better Health Foundation have an entire blog series dedicated to this topic.