IEL Resources
- Tip Sheets:
- Video: Making Pizza Together
Web Resources
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Correlates of Family Routines in Head Start Families
Source: Early Childhood Research and Practice
This study suggests that establishing family routines could contribute to mothers’ overall well-being, but that establishing routines as an intervention in Head Start may have limited potential.
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The Family Dinner Project
Source: Harvard Graduate School of Education
This project aims to bring families together to share their experiences and insights to help each other realize the benefits of family dinners. Together, they will figure out the resources needed to improve the frequency and quality of their mealtime interaction.
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Family Meals
Source: KidsHealth
This parent discusses how to plan, prepare, and share family meals. In addition to health and nutrition benefits, family meals provide a valuable opportunity to reconnect.
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Family Routines
Source: RaisingChildren
This points out that routines are how families organize themselves to get things done, spend time together, and have fun. It discusses different kinds of routines and why they are good for both children and parents.
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Family Routines and Rituals: A Context for Development in the Lives of Young Children
Source: Infants and Young Children
This article notes that naturally occurring family routines and meaningful rituals provide both a predictable structure that guides behavior and an emotional climate that supports early development.
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“I Helped Mama Too!” Cooking With a Tiny Helper
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This page provides ten tips to use in the classroom and at home while cooking with a toddler.
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Mealtime Routines and Tips
(also in Spanish)Source: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)
This resource is geared to families of infants and toddlers where having a routine can help children know what to expect when it is time for meals or snacks. This article lists some routines and tips for mealtimes.
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A Review of 50 Years of Research on Naturally Occurring Family Routines and Rituals: Cause for Celebration?
Source: Journal of Family Psychology
This article notes that when there are predictable routines in the family, young children are healthier and their behavior is better regulated.
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A Step by Step Guide for Cooking with Children
Source: NY State Department of Health
This article provides tips for cooking with children.
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The Benefits & Tricks to Having a Family Dinner
(also in Spanish)Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
This article presents 5 ways that family meals keep kids healthy.
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The Importance of Family Mealtime
Source: University of Nebraska Lincoln
It has been shown that families who eat together are healthier and happier. This article encourages families to cook together, eat together, talk together, and make mealtime a family time.
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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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Why Are Family Routines So Important to Children?
(also in Spanish)Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
This resource discusses ways to establish effective family routines.
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Why is Handwashing So Important?
Source: KidsHealth
This page contains information regarding how and when to wash hands, including information on how germs spread. Also included is a 1-minute video demonstrating how to clean hands.