Nutrition & Health

Sending text messages can be an effective way to connect with parents. This database provides text messages that can be sent to parents to promote child development and positive parenting practices on a variety of topics (e.g., social and emotional learning, nutrition, early literacy). The database was development by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for use with parents of 0-5-year-old children. All messages are available in English and Spanish.

Learn the science behind why some children are challenging eaters and discover ways you can help. This course also covers tips and tricks to make mealtime a more pleasant experience.

Breastfeeding friendly practices in early care including practical steps to normalize breastfeeding for children and how to provide culturally appropriate breastfeeding support to families.

This course will increase participants’ awareness of the problem of obesity in early childhood, including statistics about obesity rates and causes and risk factors that contribute to childhood obesity.

Cooking can help young children learn about food, practice basic math concepts as well as build language skills and self-confidence. In this presentation we will learn strategies to successfully incorporate cooking experiences into early childhood care.

The importance of sleep and the impact of sleep on children and youth’s development.

What do all of those words on food packages mean? How do I tell if a food is a whole grain? Does the food meet the whole grain requirements for the new meal plan?

Join us to answer these mysterious questions and more!

Researchers estimate that up to 33 million Americans have food allergies, including 5.6 million children under age 18.

Caring for a child with food allergies can be challenging.

Safe storing, preparing, and serving of foods is just as important in child care programs as serving a balanced diet. Many children and adults get sick from eating foods that are not properly handled or when food safety guidelines are not being followed.

Children’s yoga during early childhood can play an important role in helping young children learn self-regulation strategies, enhance their health, and can make learning fun.

This session highlights the vital role early childhood professionals play in protecting young children who are especially vulnerable to food-borne illnesses by using safe food storage, preparation, and serving practices.

When someone asks what you do for a living, don't just say you take care of kids - tell them the truth: as an early childhood educator, you build brains by creating safe, healthy, and engaging environments that support lifelong learning.