Kids at a table

The variety of preschool nutrition education programs are designed to inform early childhood teachers, young children, and families about the foundations of healthy eating.

Preschool classes in Barnstable County receive two nutrition lessons from a nutrition educator. Healthy foods, MyPlate, eating a rainbow of colors, the importance of physical activity and proper handwashing are topics presented with stories, active circle time activities and nutritious snacks. Currently, ten classrooms per year are visited and funded with a SNAP-ed grant and coordinated with UMass Amherst’s Nutrition Education Program.

Snacktivities was created for Monomoy School District’s Make Way For Kids and area preschools and daycares to present a monthly healthy snack calendar to offer healthy ideas to early childcare providers and families. Snack ‘projects’ are woven into the calendars to encourage activities that get children preparing healthy snacks so they might be more inclined to try new foods. Snack recipe ideas, nutrition messages and ideas for exercise and movement are provided in the calendars that reach around 300 families and early childhood caregivers. Funding for Snactivities was provided by the Cape Cod Five Foundation.

May be coordinated with Extension nutritionists as needed to enhance the current curriculum or introduce nutrition topics. Educators can visit the classroom to introduce topics such as A Rainbow On Your Plate and Fun with Food. Please contact the office for more information.

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Offered as requested by interested parties and coordinated with Extension educators. Topics of interest have been Feeding Choosy Eaters, Quick and Healthy Family Meals, Smart Snacks, and Cooking Healthy Meals on a Budget.

Often requested so that providers can keep up with training hours. Popular Nutrition topics are Nutritiona and Literacy, Healthy Cooking in the Classroom, Feeding the Choosy Eater and Fun with Food.

An online training program that can be used by educators, foodservice staff, parents and school volunteers. Each Unit includes videos, interactive activities such as sharing boards and the creation of best practices planning tools. The program is designed to:

  • Improve the understanding of food safety risks relating to fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Reduce the risks associated with foodborne illness in young children.

http://www.umass.edu/safefoodfarm2kid/

Click here for our Kids in the Kitchen Video Library.

The goal of this series is to highlight our region’s local agriculture in ways that resonate with children.

Interested in Preschool Nutrition Education Programs?

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