At least 60% of infants and children under the age of 5 spend an average of 29 hours each week in a child-care setting. Child care centers serve an important role in helping young children develop good eating and physical activity habits. Here are some resources for child care providers and parents to start children on the path to healthy living:
Toolkit for Childcare Providers (PDF)
The Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has also developed a nutrition and physical activity policy template (PDF) that child care centers can use to create their own policy. If you have any questions about the template, contact (702) 759-1270.
Color Me Healthy is a program designed to teach preschoolers about physical activity and healthy eating. Interactive lessons incorporate color and music to engage all the senses – touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste. Color Me Healthy teaches children that healthy food and physical activity are fun.
The program was developed by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the NC Division of Public Health (Physical Activity & Nutrition Branch and Nutrition Services Branch). It contains 12 quick and easy lessons designed for use during Circle Time. The kit includes:
The Southern Nevada Health District has copies of the Color Me Healthy kits (English and Spanish) available to childcare providers to borrow for up to two months at no charge. If you are interested in borrowing a kit, please email gethealthy@snhd.org.
