This document outlines a training for early childhood educators on nutrition, health, and safety. It discusses considerations for developing practices in these areas for early learning environments. It also describes identifying developmentally appropriate ways for educators to teach young children about their own health, safety, and nutrition. Examples of learning activities that promote understanding of physical fitness, health, nutrition, and safety are provided. The document also covers teacher responsibilities for ensuring safe and healthy environments, and strategies for engaging families and communities.
2. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
INTRODUCTION
Considerations for the development of well-defined health, safety and nutrition
practices for an early learning environment.
Identification of developmentally appropriate practices for teaching young children
about their own health, safety, and nutrition.
Examples of learning activities which foster a young child’s understanding of the
importance of physical activities, physical fitness, health, nutrition and safety.
Describe teacher responsibilities to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.
Describe strategies to involve and engage families and communities in the physical
fitness, health, safety and nutrition programs in the early childhood education setting.
Conclusion which includes a restatement of the opening thesis statement and
summary of the health, safety and nutrition strategies and practices discussed
throughout the project.
3. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
THESIS STATEMENT
“Overweight and obesity in children are significant public health problems in the United States (U.S.
Department of Health & Human Services, n.d). Although, there are multiple causes for childhood
obesity, lack of physical activity and unhealthy food choices are two of the main contributors to
childhood obesity. Early childhood educators are the gateway to knowledge and the first responders
in educating and responding to nutrition, health and safety, as such early childhood educators must be
knowledgeable on the latest developments in nutrition, health and safety.
4. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
This training will address six key categories of
specialized knowledge that shape early
childhood professional practice
Child Growth & Development
Family & Community Relations
Health, Safety & Nutrition
Child Observation & Assessment
5. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
PURPOSE STATEMENT
Staying abreast of constant changes and developments on nutrition, health and safety can be
challenging. On-going training in nutrition programs is a viable way to enhance nutrition knowledge
for childhood educators and provide an opportunity for parents and children to work collaboratively.
This training will provide an overview of nutrition, healthy & safety, as well as resources for early
childhood educators to gain knowledge and understanding of their role in facilitating early childhood
nutrition, health and safety.
6. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
Considerations for the development of well-
defined health, safety and nutrition practices for
an early learning environment.
7. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
Identification of developmentally appropriate
practices for teaching young children about
their own health, safety, and nutrition.
8. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
Examples of learning activities which foster a
young child’s understanding of the importance
of physical activities, physical fitness, health,
nutrition and safety.
10. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
Describe strategies to involve and engage
families and communities in the physical fitness,
health, safety and nutrition programs in the
early childhood education setting.
11. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
Conclusion which includes a restatement of the
opening thesis statement and summary of the
health, safety and nutrition strategies and
practices discussed throughout the project.
12. EARLY CHILDHOOLD EDUCATORS’
NUTRITION, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
REFERENCES
Childhood Obesity. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved
January 5, 2012 from .http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/
Sorte, J., Daeschel, I., & Amador, C. (2011). Nutrition, health and safety for young
children. Pearson: Upper Saddle River.
United States Department of Agriculture (n.d.). Nutrition Education for Preschool Children
Retrieved December 15, 2011 from http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/pdfs/
roundtable_references_preschool.pdf