Why Does this Matter? Limit Unhealthy Choices for Snack and Celebrations

Resources for Program Staff

• Handling Food Donations
• Ideas for Celebrations without Food
• Ideas for Healthy Foods for Celebrations

Resources to Share with Families

• Children in the Kitchen
• Eat 5 or More Fruits & Vegetables Every Day
• Snacks to Fuel Your Brain

Communication Templates

• Celebrations without Food
• Healthy Foods for Celebrations
• Healthy Party Sign-Up Form
• Healthy Party Sign-Up Form – Fruit Salad
• Healthy Party Sign-Up Form – Smoothies
• Healthy Party Sign-Up Form – Trail Mix

Why Does this Matter? Limit or Eliminate Sugary Drinks; Provide Water

Resources for Program Staff

• How to Make a Sugar Bottle Display
• Make Drinking Water Fun
• Sports & Energy Drinks
• Water Poster A
• Water Poster B

Resources to Share with Families

• The Best Drinks for Young Children
• What to Know About Sugar
• Zero Sugary Drinks, More Water

Communication Template

• Limit Sugary Drinks

Why Does this Matter? Prohibit the Use of Food as a Reward

Resources for Program Staff

• Everyone Plays A Role in Providing Non-Food Rewards for Children with I/DD
• Food Rewards Tracker
• Ideas for Rewards without Food
• Use Physical Activity as a Reward
• Transitioning to Non-Food Rewards

Resources to Share with Families

• Non-Food Rewards at Home
  
  

Why Does this Matter? Provide Opportunities for Physical Activity Every Day

Resources for Program Staff

• Everyone Plays a Role in Physical Activity for Children with I/DD
• Include Children of all Abilities Levels in Physical Activity
• LET US Play
• Physical Activity Challenges for Children with I/DD
• Social Inclusion and Physical Activity
• Tips for Better Communication and Behavior Management

Resources to Share with Families

• One Hour or More of Physical Activity Every Day
• Make Active Play Part of Every Day

Why Does this Matter? Limit Recreational Screen Time

Resources to Share with Families

• Ideas for Screen-Free Activities
• Limit Recreational Screen Time
• Screen Time and Young Children
• What to Know About Recreational Screen Time

Resources for Program Staff

• Everyone Plays A Role in Healthy Eating for Children with I/DD
• Healthy Eating Challenges for Children with I/DD
• Ideas for Healthy Fundraisers
• Oral Motor and Sensory Problems
• Using Family Style Meals
• Ways to Help Children Improve Their Eating Habits
• When is Choosy Eating a Problem

Resources to Share with Families

• Breakfast: A Healthy Start to the Day
• Healthy Foods By Texture
• Healthy Sleeping Habits
• Maine Seasonal Food Guide
• Save Money and Eat Healthy
• Strategies for Feeding Children
• The Importance of Family Meals
• Tips for Healthy Eating & Healthy Portions
• Tips to Handle Picky Eating

Resources for Program Staff

• Safe Handling of Human Milk

Resources to Share with Families

• Expressing, Storing, and Feeding Human Milk

The trusted organizations below can offer you even more help in creating a healthy environment for the children in your care:

• Cooking Matter’s Community Resources: This website 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.