Tools
WELCOME LETTER & TABLE OF CONTENTS
STEP 1 - ENGAGE
5-2-1-0 Goes to Child Care Program Overview
Let's Go!'s 5 Step Path to Success
Let's Go!'s 10 Strategies for Success
Let's Go!'s Definitions
Let's Go! in Maine
The Let's Go! Champion
Scientific Rationale for the 5-2-1-0 Message
Letter to Families Announcing a New Partnership
F.A.Q
STEP 2 - ASSESS ENVIRONMENT AND CREATE A PLAN
STEP 3 - IMPLEMENT PLAN
STRATEGY 1 - LIMIT UNHEALTHY CHOICES
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 1: Limit Unhealthy Choices for Snacks and Celebrations; Provide Healthy Choices
Ideas for Healthy Snacks
Quick Snacks for Healthy Kids
Healthy Snack Ideas – Letter to Families
Ideas for Healthy Foods for Celebrations
Healthy Foods for Celebrations – Letter to Families
Healthy Party Sign-Up Sheet
Presenting Fruits and Vegetables in Fun, Creative Ways
Ideas for Non-Food Celebrations
Non-Food Celebrations – Letter to Families
Tried and True Advice for Starting a Garden
Mystery Vegetable or Fruit Activity
Kids in the Kitchen
Family-Style Meals
Eat at Least Five Fruits and Vegetables a Day
Healthy Shopping On a Budget
Understanding Food Labels
Maine Seasonal Food Guide
Breakfast Is Best
A Meal Is a Family Affair
Fruits and Vegetables, All Year Long!
What’s a Healthy Portion?
Tips for a Healthier Diet
Handling a "Choosy" Eater
Phrases that HELP and HINDER
How to Practice the Division of Responsibility When Feeding Children
STRATEGY 2 - LIMIT OR ELIMINATE SUGARY DRINKS; PROVIDE WATER.
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 2: Limit or Eliminate Sugary Drinks; Provide Water
Setting Up a Self-Serve Water Station
Making Water More Appealing
Limit Sugary Drinks Sent in from Home – Letter to Families
Limit or Eliminate Sugary Drinks; Provide Water
What Should Young Children Drink?
Water Is Fuel for Your Body
Is Juice a Healthy Choice or an Occasional Treat?
Make Your Own Sugar Bottle Display
STRATEGY 3 - PROHIBIT THE USE OF FOOD AS A REWARD.
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 3: Prohibit the Use of Food as a Reward
Use Non-Food Rewards
Use Physical Activity as a Reward
Food Rewards Add Up
What the Experts Say About Food Rewards
Non-Food Rewards at Home
STRATEGY 4 - PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EVERY DAY
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 4: Provide Opportunities to Get Physical Activity Every Day
Movement in Learning Resources
Use Quick Physical Activity Breaks
Use Physical Activity as a Reward
Create a Dedicated Activity Space
Get One Hour or More of Physical Activity Every Day
Make Physical Play Part of Every Day!
Take It Outside
STRATEGY 5 - LIMIT RECREATIONAL SCREEN TIME.
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 5: Limit Recreational Screen Time
Pause to Play!
My Favorite Things to Do Instead of Watching TV
Take Home Activity Bags
Limit Recreational Screen Time to Two Hours or Less
Promote Healthy Viewing Habits
Unplugged!
Screen Time and the Very Young
National Screen-Free Week
Tips for Reading to Young Children
STRATEGY 6 - PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 6: Participate in Local, State and National Initiatives that Support Healthy Eating and Active Living
Healthy Dates to Celebrate
STRATEGY 7 - ENGAGE COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 7: Engage Community Partners to Help Support Healthy Eating and Active Living
Sample Language for Requesting Support from Local Businesses
STRATEGY 8 - PARTNER WITH AND EDUCATE FAMILIES
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 8: Partner with and Educate Families in Adopting and Maintaining a Lifestyle that Supports Healthy Eating and Active Living
5-2-1-0 Every Day!
STRATEGY 9 - IMPLEMENT A STAFF WELLNESS PROGRAM
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 9: Implement a Staff Wellness Program that Includes Healthy Eating and Active Living
Healthy Food and Beverage Guidelines for Meetings and Occasions
Active Meeting Guidelines
Provide and Promote Safe Walking Routes
Be a Healthy Role Model
STRATEGY 10 - COLLABORATE WITH FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS
Why Does This Matter?
How to Implement Strategy 10: Collaborate with Food and Nutrition Programs to Offer Healthy Food and Beverage Options
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
MyPlate
Harvard School of Public Health Healthy Eating Plate
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
How to Support Breastfeeding Families
Are You Interested in Becoming a More Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care?
The Basics of Breastfeeding Support
'Breastfeeding Welcome Here' Sign
Caregiver's Guide to the Breastfeeding Baby
Safely Storing Breast Milk
Sample Breastfeeding Policy for Child Care Programs
STEP 4 - COMPLETE SURVEY
STEP 5 - CELEBRATE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Helpful Websites
The trusted organizations below can offer you even more help in creating a healthy environment for the children in your care:
Cooking Matter’s Exploring Food Together Toolkit: This toolkit consists of simple activities that adults who work with young children can use, in the classroom or in the home, to help kids learn about new foods and start building the skills to make healthy food choices.
WinterKids: WinterKids helps kids develop healthy lifelong habits through fun, outdoor winter activity. The Preschool GOAL offers active, outdoor activities aligned with Maine Early Learning Guidelines for Child Care education providers. Participants in the WinterKids ECE Challenge receive training and incentives to increase physical activity.
Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers: A free resource kit developed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to assist child care providers and community groups in implementing strategies to promote, protect and support breastfeeding women. Includes thorough resources to assist child care programs in reaching each of the 10 steps.
Early Care and Education Toolkit
Registered sites in Maine and Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire, receive a free hard-copy toolkit. For all others, Let’s Go! offers free online access to our Early Care and Education Toolkit in an easy-to-use format, as well as printable PDFs of individual pages, organized per the outline below.