Child Nutrition Education and Professional Development
Nutrition education empowers children and adults to make healthy choices.
The best practices (per GO NAPSACC) and the related resources in this section focus on educating both children and adults about healthy eating so that they can understand the "why" behind nutrition. This allows for better implementation of healthy choices at child cares, at home, and elsewhere in communities. A strong knowledge foundation can also support children as they grow and help prevent obesity and chronic diseases in the long term.
Best Practices
Select each GO NAPSACC best practice goal below to find related resources.
"Children participate in planned nutrition education 1 time per week or more."
Discover MyPlate: Nutrition Education for Kindergarteners
Summary: While geared towards kindergarteners, child care providers may find some of these learning tools helpful, such as the printable food cards, videos, parent resources, and more.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Enrichment Zone: Fitness, Friends, and Fun
Summary: Provides nutrition and physical activity ideas for Pre-K programs. Scroll down and click on the “Download Pre-K Program” or “Download Pre-K Basket” text to see more.
Source: Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and Discovery Education
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Find many nutrition education and farm-to-table curriculums. Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the social emotional assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Great Start to Quality Resource Center Lending Libraries
Summary: Covering all counties in Michigan, the 10 Resource Centers give providers of all program types and professional affiliations as well as parents free access to lending libraries with books, curriculums, CDs, child manipulatives and toys, and more. Find resources that will support child and adult learning on a variety of health topics.
Source: Great Start to Quality
Grow It, Try It, Like It! Nutrition Education Kit
Summary: A garden-themed nutrition education kit that introduces children to three fruits and three vegetables. It contains seven booklets with fun activities that guide children through an imaginary garden. Each set of lessons contains hands-on activities, planting activities, and nutrition education activities that introduce MyPlate. You can download this kit for free or follow the Resource Order Form to order a hard copy.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of Nurture Healthy Eaters, find curriculums and activities for nutrition education of children under 5.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Launch Your Day with Breakfast! Stickers
Summary: Use these stickers to help promote eating breakfast in nutrition lessons or during mealtimes. They can be downloaded or ordered from Team Nutrition.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Make Today a Try-Day!
Summary: Poster and sticker set that you can use in your child care to encourage children to try new foods. Available by download or can order from Team Nutrition.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Miijim (Food Cards)
Summary: Created by Michigan students, these cards feature hand-drawn food items with their names in Anishinaabemowin. Project or print and laminate for classroom use, or even include in newsletters to families. Scan the QR code on each card to find a pronunciation guide and more information about items.
Source: Michigan State University Tribal Extension
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: This nutrition toolkit describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
MyPlate
Summary: Various Coloring Sheets, Menu Planner, videos, posters, and place mats can be accessed for free for use in nutrition lessons.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
MyPlate Nate and Kate Stickers
Summary: Download or order for free to use as part of nutrition lessons or as rewards for children who make healthy food choices.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Nourishing Students: Early Childhood Education Resources
Summary: Activities, bilingual learning cards, and recipes surrounding different fruits and vegetables.
Source: Ecoliteracy
Nutrition by Life Stage
Summary: Find resources related to helping adults understand and guide infants', toddlers', and children's nutrition.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Positive Eating Environment
Summary: Professional development resources for child care providers to gain more insight on how to effectively create an eating environment that provides positive and educational experience for children.
Source: HeadStart.gov
Sesame Street: Healthy Habits for Life
Summary: Activities for providers, children, and families, some of which focus on nutrition and physical activity.
Source: Sesame Workshop
The Two Bite Club (English and Spanish)
Summary: This educational storybook, available in English and in Spanish, was developed to introduce MyPlate to young children. Adults can read the book to children and encourage them to try foods from each food group by eating just two bites, just like the characters in the story. You can download a copy from this site or follow the "Resource Order Form" link to get a free hard copy.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
"Teachers talk with children informally about healthy eating each time they see an opportunity."
Family Style Dining Guide: A Mealtime Approach for Early Care and Education Programs
Summary: For child care providers in all types of programs, this guide walks through how to implement best practices of serving meals family style with toddlers and preschoolers.
Source: Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the social emotional assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of Nurture Healthy Eaters, find curriculums and activities for nutrition education of children under 5.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Positive Eating Environment
Summary: Professional development resources for child care providers to gain more insight on how to effectively create an eating environment that provides positive and educational experience for children.
Source: HeadStart.gov
"Teachers and staff receive professional development on child nutrition 2 times per year or more. Professional development on child nutrition covers a variety of topics about healthy foods and beverages for children and ways to help children build healthy eating habits."
Education and Training Resources
Summary: In-person, virtual, and on-demand training courses and educational material related to CACFP meal patterns are available for professional development credit. Registration is free.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Family Style Meal Service with Children
Summary: Toolkit on how to hold family style meal service in child care, meeting federal CACFP guidelines.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the social emotional assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Great Start to Quality Resource Center Lending Libraries
Summary: Covering all counties in Michigan, the 10 Resource Centers give providers of all program types and professional affiliations as well as parents free access to lending libraries with books, curriculums, CDs, child manipulatives and toys, and more. Find resources that will support child and adult learning on a variety of health topics.
Source: Great Start to Quality
MiRegistry Course Catalog
Summary: By entering “nutrition”, "gardening with young children", or other terms in the “Course Title, Competency, or Qualification” search box, professional development classes related to nutrition in young children will appear, many of which are free. Click on “View Course Detail” for each class to read more.
Source: MiRegistry
Nourishing Students: Early Childhood Education Resources
Summary: Activities, bilingual learning cards, and recipes surrounding different fruits and vegetables.
Source: Ecoliteracy
Nutrition
Summary: Articles, videos, events, classes, and more. If you are unsure what in-person or virtual education opportunities are available in your area, call your county Extension office or search on the website for "Ask Extension" and fill out the form to receive more guidance.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment. Educational or promotional material can be downloaded for free, or ordered from Team Nutrition.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
"Families are offered education on child nutrition 2 times per year or more."
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Find many nutrition education and farm-to-table curriculums. Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the social emotional assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for healthier diets. In particular, see Week 3 – Love your veggies, Week 4 – Enjoy Fruit, Week 5 – Whole grains, Week 6 – Plan for protein, Week 7 – More than meat, Week 8 – Don’t forget diary, Week 9 – Don’t fear fat, Week 10 – Think about your drink, Week 11 – Beyond Fresh, Week 17 – Pleasing Picky Eaters, and Week 21: Get more veggies.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Miijim (Food Cards)
Summary: Created by Michigan students, these cards feature hand-drawn food items with their names in Anishinaabemowin. Project or print and laminate for classroom use, or even include in newsletters to families. Scan the QR code on each card to find a pronunciation guide and more information about items.
Source: Michigan State University Tribal Extension
Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Summary: Track children’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with this easy-to-use check list. Includes a video and flyers explaining how to use the app.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Nibbles for Health: Nutrition Newsletters for Parents of Young Children
Summary: Reproducible newsletters that can be given to parents to address many of the challenges they face every day. These can also reinforce the lessons being taught to children in child care. Topics include portion sizes, reducing sugar, reducing sodium, picky eating, increasing nutritious food groups, and more. Newsletters can be downloaded, or hard copies may be ordered.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Nourishing Students: Early Childhood Education Resources
Summary: Family resources that align with nutrition teaching material.
Source: Ecoliteracy
Nutrition
Summary: Articles, videos, events, classes, and more. If you are unsure what in-person or virtual education opportunities are available in your area, call your county Extension office or search on the website for "Ask Extension" and fill out the form to receive more guidance.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Nutrition and Health for Families
Summary: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) online lessons and digital resources for families cover a wide variety of topics regarding family and children health. Browse through the documents, sign up for the free classes, or contact an expert for more help on your nutrition question.
Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Tips for Feeding Young Kids
Summary: Free, printable fact sheets to help address common feeding issues such as getting children to try new or less preferred foods, feeding schedules, and responsive feeding techniques. Available in both English and Spanish.
Source: Healthy Family Connecticut
"Education for families on child nutrition covers a variety of topics about healthy foods and beverages for children and ways to help children build healthy eating habits."
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the social emotional assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for healthier diets. In particular, see Week 3 – Love your veggies, Week 4 – Enjoy Fruit, Week 5 – Whole grains, Week 6 – Plan for protein, Week 7 – More than meat, Week 8 – Don’t forget diary, Week 9 – Don’t fear fat, Week 10 – Think about your drink, Week 11 – Beyond Fresh, Week 17 – Pleasing Picky Eaters, and Week 21: Get more veggies.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Miijim (Food Cards)
Summary: Created by Michigan students, these cards feature hand-drawn food items with their names in Anishinaabemowin. Project or print and laminate for classroom use, or even include in newsletters to families. Scan the QR code on each card to find a pronunciation guide and more information about items.
Source: Michigan State University Tribal Extension
Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Summary: Track children’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with this easy-to-use check list. Includes a video and flyers explaining how to use the app.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Nibbles for Health: Nutrition Newsletters for Parents of Young Children
Summary: Reproducible newsletters that can be given to parents to address many of the challenges they face every day. These can also reinforce the lessons being taught to children in child care. Topics include portion sizes, reducing sugar, reducing sodium, picky eating, increasing nutritious food groups, and more. Newsletters can be downloaded, or hard copies may be ordered.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Nourishing Students: Early Childhood Education Resources
Summary: Family resources that align with nutrition teaching material.
Source: Ecoliteracy
Nutrition
Summary: Articles, videos, events, classes, and more. If you are unsure what in-person or virtual education opportunities are available in your area, call your county Extension office or search on the website for "Ask Extension" and fill out the form to receive more guidance.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Nutrition and Health for Families
Summary: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) online lessons and digital resources for families cover a wide variety of topics regarding family and children health. Browse through the documents, sign up for the free classes, or contact an expert for more help on your nutrition question.
Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Tips for Feeding Young Kids
Summary: Free, printable fact sheets to help address common feeding issues such as getting children to try new or less preferred foods, feeding schedules, and responsive feeding techniques. Available in both English and Spanish.
Source: Healthy Family Connecticut
"There is a written policy on child nutrition that includes a variety of topics related to what children eat during the day, how mealtimes run, and education for children, staff, teachers, and families on healthy eating."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: Guidelines for feeding practice policies and practices that support child nutrition.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Caring for Our Children Basics
Summary: Outlines a set of voluntary, foundational health and safety standards for early care and education programs. Based on best practices, these standards are designed to help protect children and support their healthy development in child care settings.
Source: National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, Administration for Children and Families
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Sample Child Care Nutrition Policy
Summary: A sample policy that allows a center to fill in the blanks and customize to meet their needs.
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