Nutrition for Young Children

This list contains resources to help providers address nutrition for young children.
Web Resources
-
AAP Recommends No Fruit Juice for Children Under 1 Year
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
This provides information and the AAP policy statement regarding the recommendation of no fruit juice for children under 1 year.
-
Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label: What Parents Need to Know
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
This article explains the changes to the nutrition facts labels on food based on new findings about diet-related health problems that affect growing numbers of children and adults.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Feeding the Body and the Mind: Nurturing Healthy Eating Habits from the Start
(also in Spanish)Source: Zero to Three
This parenting resource is a podcast with Dr. Dan Kessler who has worked in this area of feeding difficulties in young children for more than 30 years.
-
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.
-
Healthy Feeding and Nutrition Resource Guide
(also in Spanish)Source: Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse on healthy feeding and nutrition.
-
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Source: Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
This website provides information about a nationwide call-to-action that empowers child care and early education providers to make positive health changes in children that could last a lifetime.
-
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.
-
How to Handle Picky Eaters
Source: Zero to Three
Do you know a “picky eater”? “Picky” eating is when a child refuses foods often or eats the same foods over and over. Here’s what to do and what not to do with your picky eater.
-
Kids and Food: 10 Tips for Parents
(also in Spanish)Source: KidsHealth
This article provides ten basic guidelines to follow to can help encourage children to eat right and maintain a healthy weight.
-
Life Stages: Kids
Source: My Plate: U.S. Department of Agriculture
This website provides games, activities, songs, and videos that encourage a healthy lifestyle for young children.
-
MyPlate Food Guide
(also in Spanish)Source: KidsHealth
This article shares how to help parents feed their kids nutritious, balanced meals. The divided plate includes sections for vegetables, fruits, grains, and foods high in protein.
-
Preschoolers
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.
About this resource
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:- Home
- Family Child Care
- Child Care Center
- Preschool Program
- Kindergarten
Intended audience(s):
- Parents / Family
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):
Related Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards: