Early Childhood Nutrition Education Tool Kit

The Nutrition Education Tool Kit contains a menu of Healthy Eating Active Living  (HEAL) education options for the Early Childhood Education learning environment. However, it needs to be noted, the key to making these experiences successful is to ensure that they are delivered within a pervasive “Culture of Health”. A Culture of Health that ensures only healthy food is served to the children and  teachers are role models of healthy eating and active living. There are a full range of center policies that or example, forbids junk foods at all levels. The Garden of Eatin’ Project is far more than a collection of classroom/garden lesson.  It is a program that reaches out to parents, community and teachers alike in an attempt to ensure our children’s health.

Garden of Eatin' Mission Statement

To teach the families of the young children in our care to make healthy choices to their children have the chance to grow up to live happy and fulfilling lives free of disease.

Garden of Eatin’ Goal

Increase Fruit & (Especially) Vegetable Consumption and Increase Physical Activity in Children and Their Families by Creating a “Culture of Health” within the Early Childhood Education Environment

Garden of Eatin’ Principles

Children eat what they like and what’s available to them.  Young children are typically suspicious of new foods and need repeated exposure to accept them.  Young children are tactile, experiential learners who are driven to develop new skills.

Garden of Eatin’ Philosophy 

• First, we work to increase exposure. This requires addressing routines and availability (in childcare, in the garden, in the community, and at home).
• Second, we build knowledge and skills with regards to food; demonstrating both in the classroom and in gardens.
• Our methods recognize that in order to effect long term behavior change our program is delivered with a combination of the following three elements: 1) explicit intention to ensure our children learn to make healthy choices; 2) children and parents are given an experience and 3) this experience is associated with an emotion (i.e. joyfulness). Then what is learned, effects long term behavior. Small children become life-long eaters of fruits & vegetables.  
• Education addresses four audiences: Early Childhood Education (ECE) staff, children in the ECE center, their families, and visitors to the Garden of Eatin’ website.