When it comes to early childhood development, both physical activity and proper nutrition play a crucial role in shaping healthy lifestyles. Introducing these concepts in child care settings can make a significant impact, helping children develop good habits from a young age. This supplement provides a variety of resources, lesson plans, and engaging tools designed to make learning about nutrition and physical activity fun for both children and their caregivers. Let’s dive into these innovative programs and materials created to support healthy habits for kids!
Be Active Kids
1999
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, along with several community partners, created an engaging, hands-on curriculum aimed at preschoolers aged 4 to 5. Be Active Kids is designed to equip young children with the tools to develop healthy fitness and nutrition habits that can last a lifetime. The program incorporates bright visuals, fun characters, interactive lessons, and essential health tips to show kids that eating well and exercising can be enjoyable.
Audience: Child Care Providers, Parents
Format: Lesson plans, felt play board, food guide pyramid, character cut-outs, flash cards
Childhood Obesity: Lily Faces a Problem
1997
This video tells the story of six-year-old Janelle, who is starting to gain extra weight. Rather than focusing on calorie counting, her mother, Lily, takes a more balanced approach by introducing nutritious meals and emphasizing the importance of physical activity. Throughout the video, Lily stresses that a child’s sense of self-worth and feeling loved should never be tied to their weight. The story ends on a positive note, highlighting Lily’s unconditional love for Janelle.
Audience: Parents, Health Clinics, General Adult, Child Care
Format: 13-minute video
Choosing Foods with Jack the Apple
1999
In this fun and educational video, Jack the Apple visits a family getting ready for a birthday party for 5-year-old twins. Jack shares catchy songs that teach children about making healthy food choices, portion control, and fun ways to prepare nutritious meals. Topics such as eating three balanced meals a day, preparing healthy snacks, and choosing drinks like water, milk, or juice are all covered.
Audience: Child Care
Format: 11-minute video, facilitator’s guide
“Dear Family” Letters
1997
The California Nutrition Education and Training Program created these 18 reproducible letters, which can be distributed to family members, included in newsletters, or used as handouts in parent workshops. Each letter focuses on a different topic related to nutrition, encouraging families to engage in meaningful discussions about healthy eating habits with their child care providers.
Audience: Child Care, Nutritionists
Format: Reproducible handouts
The First Two Years: What Lily Learned
1991
This video follows Lily, a young mother, as she joins a support group for new moms. Through this group, she learns about her daughter Janelle’s development stages and discovers the many responsibilities that come with being a parent during the first two years. The video covers essential topics such as scheduling check-ups, feeding, and recognizing signs of illness. Lily also learns the importance of taking time for herself to avoid burnout.
Audience: Parents, Health Clinics, General Adult, Child Care
Format: 13-minute video
Five a Day, Let’s Eat and Play
1998
Developed by the Palm Beach County Health Department, this nutrition education program is geared toward preschool children aged 3-5. It includes 10 interactive lesson plans that combine fun activities with important lessons about healthy eating and staying active.
Audience: Child Care
Format: Lesson plans, storybook, game board
Five a Day with Jack the Apple
1999
In this delightful video, Jack the Apple takes a trip to the supermarket with a young girl, singing a catchy song that introduces children to various fruits and vegetables and their health benefits. Back at home, they prepare healthy snacks and meals together, while discussing appropriate serving sizes and appealing menu ideas.
Audience: Child Care
Format: 11-minute video, facilitator’s guide
Food Allergies
1998
Part of the American Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Now series, this book serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing food allergies. It explains how food allergies are diagnosed, offers tips for avoiding problematic foods, and provides guidance for ensuring a balanced diet. A special chapter for parents addresses how to prevent or delay food allergies in children while supporting their growth and development. The book also includes a sample food diary, elimination menu plans, and allergy-free recipes.
Audience: General Adult, Health Clinics, College/High School Students, Parents
Format: 93-page book
Getting Active with Jack the Apple
1999
In this lively video, Jack the Apple sings and dances with a friend, showing kids how physical activities like dancing, stretching, and playing can be fun and beneficial. The video also introduces basic motor skills, such as kicking and using a bat, and encourages children to practice physical activities with their parents at home.
Audience: Child Care
Format: 11-minute video, facilitator’s guide
Kids…Get Cookin/Chicos…A Cocinar
1998
This colorful bilingual cookbook was developed by the California Children’s 5 a Day-Power Play! Campaign. It offers a variety of creative fruit and vegetable recipes that parents and children can prepare together. Each recipe is presented in both English and Spanish, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Audience: Parents, Teachers, Elementary Child Care
Format: 48-page cookbook
Lily Makes Soup and So Should You
1998
In this charming video, Lily and her daughter Janelle show viewers that making homemade vegetable soup can be easy, nutritious, and fun. They share tips on how to select ingredients, use leftovers, and prepare a hearty soup stock.
Audience: General Adult, Health Clinics, Child Care, High School
Format: 11-minute video
The Munchsters Talk About Food
1996
Developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, this educational kit is aimed at preschool and kindergarten children. It combines language arts skills with essential health and nutrition information, using teacher-tested materials to make learning fun and engaging.
Audience: Preschool, Kindergarten, Child Care
Format: Kit with teacher’s guide, lesson plans, posters
Nifty Nutrition with Skill Integration Activities – Kindergarten
1998
This resource, developed by the Arkansas NET Program, integrates nutrition education with essential academic skills like language arts, reading, and math. The lessons are aligned with the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) 9 Objectives, offering hands-on food experiences that encourage children to try a wide variety of healthy foods. The program also fosters collaboration between cafeterias and classrooms.
Audience: Child Care, Early Elementary, Food Service Personnel, Teachers
Format: Video and resource materials
Years 3-5: What Lily Learned
1991
In this follow-up to The First Two Years, Lily continues to learn about her daughter Janelle’s growth and development as she joins a support group of other mothers. Topics include how children learn to play, setting limits, providing discipline, and preparing children for school. The program emphasizes the importance of listening to children, giving them a sense of belonging, and allowing them to set their own pace during mealtimes.
Audience: Parents, Health Clinics, General Adult, Child Care
Format: 15-minute video
Wilby’s Fitness Book
1997
This entertaining storybook by Toni Tickel Branner features Wilby, a bright chimpanzee, and his best friend, Teddy. Through rhymes and silly antics, Wilby teaches Teddy how to live a healthy lifestyle, covering topics like heart health, muscle strength, proper stretching, healthy eating, and body positivity.
Audience: Preschool, Early Elementary, Child Care
Format: Storybook