Preschoolers’ Nutrition and Fitness

This list contains a variety of resources associated with nutrition and fitness for preschoolers.
IEL Resources
- Tip Sheets:
- Q&A: Development in Young Children
Web Resources
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Discover MyPlate: Teachers Guide
Source: My Plate: U.S. Department of Agriculture
This teacher’s guide includes six standards-based, inquiry-led, student-centered and teacher approved nutrition lessons for kindergarten.
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Facing Food Challenges One Plate at a Time
(also in Spanish)Source: Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
This parent tip provides easy ways to add variety and more substance to family meals.
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Feeding Preschoolers
Source: University of Illinois Extention
This page provides information regarding helping preschoolers eat a variety of foods. Information regarding the food Pyramid, ideas for family mealtime and a recipe for a Pyramid Tortilla
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Feeling Hungry? Satisfying Books about Food for Young Children
Source: Cooperative Children’s Book Center
This reviews a selection of books for young children on food topics, such as eating vegetables and foods for special occasions.
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Fitness and Your 2- to 3-year-old
Source: KidsHealth
This page contains information on physical activity for 2-3 year old children and tips for family fitness activities.
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Fitness and Your 3- to 5-Year-Old
Source: KidsHealth
This website suggests ways that parents can encourage children to participate in physical activities to promote good health.
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Healthy Eating for Children Ages 2 to 5 Years Old: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension
This provides a link to a publication that covers different topics that are of interest to parents and caregivers of young children (ages 2-5) and gives an overview of healthy eating and feeding practices
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Help Your Preschooler Eat Well, Be Active, and Grow Up Healthy!
Source: My Plate: U.S. Department of Agriculture
This section of the ChooseMyPlate website is for parents and caregivers of children 2 through 5 years of age who want to help preschoolers eat well, be active, and be healthy.
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How Should I Deal with a Picky Eater?
Source: KidsHealth
This Q&A website explains what parents can do when their child is a selective eater.
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Let’s Get Dirty: Fun Mud Activities
Source: National Wildlife Federation
This page provides activities to help children get outdoors and engaging in muddy activites.
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Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child’s Life
Source: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)
This resource explains to parents how to get – and keep their child active, and how to meet the recommended levels of physical activity.
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Motor Development
Source: University of Pittsburgh
This parent guide includes a list of motor development milestones.
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MyActivity Pyramid for Kids
Source: University of Missouri Extension
This article provides suggestions to help meet the goal of being physically active 60 minutes, up to several hours every day.
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Raising a Fit Preschooler
Source: KidsHealth
This article provides tips for parents on how to engage preschoolers in active play.
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Recipes for Kids
Source: KidsHealth
Letting children help with food and meal preparation is a great way to encourage them to try new foods and think about nutrition. This website includes recipes for children with special health concerns, such as diabetes.
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Teaching Children About Food Safety
Source: Clemson Cooperative Extension
This teacher’s guide provides information and resources to create interest in developing healthy and safe food habits.
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Understanding and Guiding How Your Child Eats
Source: University of Pittsburgh
This guide suggests ways that parents can make family meals fun and pleasurable while promoting good eating habits.
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Washing Your Hands / Lavado de Manos
Source: Healthy Child Care Iowa
This document is a step by step guide that utilizes pictures to demonstrate each step of hand washing. This document is in English and Spanish.
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Your Child’s Weight
(also in Spanish)Source: KidsHealth
This article covers topics such as growth and puberty, body mass index, under and overweight, and the role genes play.
About this resource
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:- Child Care Center
- Family Child Care
- Home
- Preschool Program
Intended audience(s):
- Parents / Family
- Teachers / Service providers
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):
Related Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards: