Little Bites, Big Learning: Nutrition Month in Child Care - post

March is often celebrated as Nutrition Month, and it’s a great time to help children build healthy habits in fun, simple ways. This guide is for directors and child care providers who want practical ideas that fit real schedules. You’ll find easy classroom activities, kid-friendly snack and mealtime tips, and safe ways to involve families. #NutritionMonth #HealthyHabits #ChildCare

Why does Nutrition Month matter in childcare?

Nutrition Month is more than a theme, it’s a helpful time to build healthy habits that can last all year. Here are a few simple reasons it matters:

🍎 Healthy growth: Good food helps children’s bodies and brains grow strong. The CDC explains that young children need fruits and vegetables every day to support healthy growth and brain development.

⚡ Learning support: When children eat well, they often have more energy to play, focus, and join group activities. Child care settings also reach many children and can help shape healthy habits early.

🕒 Routine building: Nutrition Month is a great time to practice family-style meals (when possible), repeat healthy messages, and make small changes that stick like adding one “try-it” food each week.

👩‍🍳 Staff development: Use this month to refresh training on safe food handling, allergies, and responsive feeding. ChildCareEd has trainings that fit well, such as:

• Healthy Starts: Safety, Nutrition, and Wellness in Child Care

• On My Plate: Children’s Nutrition

What simple activities can we do to teach about healthy food?

Hands-on play helps children connect new food ideas to real life. Keep activities short, clear, and age-appropriate. Many of the ideas below can be found in ChildCareEd’s ready-to-use Nutrition Month Activities packet.

🍎 Taste the Rainbow (tiny samples): Offer small bites of fruits and veggies in different colors. Ask children to name the color and share one describing word (sweet, crunchy, soft). The CDC suggests offering a variety of fruits and vegetables and using positive, repeated exposure.

🥕 Food Sorting Stations: Set up picture or toy-food centers for the main food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy). Children sort, count, and make patterns. This works well in dramatic play and math centers.

🧑‍🍳“Cooking Together” (no-heat options): Make a simple snack like fruit kebabs, yogurt parfait cups, or rice cake faces. Cooking builds math and language skills (counting, measuring, describing) while practicing healthy choices.

🎵 Story and Song Time: Read a short food-themed book, then sing a simple food song. Follow it with a quick class chart:

• “Foods we like”

• “Foods we are learning to try”

• “Crunchy vs. soft”

🌱 Grow and Taste: Start small herbs in cups (basil, mint) or plant seeds in a clear container. Children learn where food comes from and can taste what they grow when it’s ready. Farm to ECE activities support gardening and food learning in early care settings.

Tips for success (make it easy and positive):

• Offer small tastes and repeat often—children may need many tries.

  Use positive language (“You can try it if you want”) and avoid using dessert as a reward.

• Adapt for ages: infants explore with safe touch-and-feel books and food words, while preschoolers can sort, graph, and help prepare simple snacks.

How can we plan snacks and meals for Nutrition Month?

Meal and snack planning during Nutrition Month can be simple, balanced, and safe. The goal is to make small changes you can keep all year. Here’s an easy approach that works well in child care—and aligns with trusted guidance from CACFP and CDC. #NutritionMonth #HealthyHabits #ChildCarePlan 

🍽️ Plan “by plate” (keep it simple):
Aim for 2–3 food groups at snack and all food groups at meals. CACFP meal patterns and tools can help you plan and stay consistent.

• Example snack: whole-grain crackers + cheese + fruit

Use ChildCareEd ideas for nut-free, center-friendly snacks Healthy snacks for daycare 

📅 Create a weekly rotation (rota) to reduce stress:
A simple theme rotation helps staff plan faster and reduces last-minute changes. For example:

• Monday: fruit + dairy

• Tuesday: veggie + protein

• Wednesday: whole grain + fruit

• Thursday: protein + grain

• Friday: “fun healthy” snack (like a rainbow fruit cup or yogurt + berries)

Use ChildCareEd’s CACFP Food Menu resource to plan simple, CACFP-friendly meals and snacks with less stress

👶 Match food to age and follow choking-safety guidance:
Young children are at higher risk for choking, so modify foods and supervise closely. For example, cut small round foods like grapes and cherry tomatoes

🧼 Keep allergy safety front and center:
Read labels every time, prevent cross-contact, and make sure allergy plans are clear and easy for staff to follow. 

Use ChildCareEd’s Illness, Medication, and Allergies in Child Care training to refresh staff on allergy plans, label reading, and safe practices that help prevent reactions during meals and snacks

🥄 Use family-style meals when appropriate:
Family-style meals can build independence and social skills when children help set the table, pass bowls, and serve themselves with support. CACFP resources also highlight the value of creating a positive mealtime environment

How do we involve families and avoid common mistakes?

Family involvement is key to lasting change. When families and staff work together, children get the same healthy messages at school and at home. Use clear communication, simple take-home ideas, and respect for each family’s culture and preferences. #FamilyEngagement #NutritionMonth #HealthyHabits

📣 Communicate early and keep it simple:
Send one short handout at the start of the month that explains:

• What Nutrition Month is

• How families can join (optional)

• Your basic food and allergy rules

🤝 Invite participation (give choices):
Make it easy for busy caregivers to participate in different ways:

• Join a “taste test” day (in person or virtual)

• Send a favorite family recipe (no cooking required)

• Share a photo of a healthy meal at home (if your program allows photos)

• Add one healthy snack idea to a class list

🌍 Be culturally responsive:
Include foods children may already eat at home. Ask families (optional):

• “Are there foods your child enjoys at home?”

• “Are there foods you prefer we avoid?”
  Offer substitutions when possible so children with different cultural needs, allergies, or sensory needs can still participate.

🛑 Review allergy and safety plans before food events:
Request updated medical forms, review allergy lists, and remind staff about cross-contact and label checks. This training can support safe practices during meals and snacks

What common mistakes should we avoid during Nutrition Month?

• Mistake: Not checking labels every time
  Do instead: Read ingredient lists with every purchase—brands and recipes can change.

• Mistake: Using food as a reward
  Do instead: Praise behaviors like trying a new food, using a spoon, or sitting with the group. Use non-food rewards when needed (stickers, high-fives, helper roles).

• Mistake: Rushing mealtimes
  Do instead: Build in time for relaxed eating and calm conversation. Children learn healthy habits when adults model patience and positive talk at the table.

FAQ

Q: How many snacks per day?
A: Many preschoolers do well with three meals and two planned snacks. Keep portions age-appropriate and follow your program’s meal pattern requirements.

Q: How do I handle picky eaters?
A: Offer small tastes often and avoid pressure. Children may need many tries before they accept a new food. The CDC recommends repeated exposure and positive modeling (kids learn by watching adults).

Q: What about allergies?
A: Follow each child’s written allergy plan, avoid listed allergens, check labels every purchase, and train staff to prevent cross-contact (shared utensils, surfaces, and hands).

Q: Can infants join Nutrition Month?
A: Yes. Keep it developmentally appropriate by focusing on feeding routines, breastfeeding support, and safe introduction of solids (based on each child’s plan and local guidance). ChildCareEd infant feeding resources can help staff stay consistent.

Q: Where can I get more lesson ideas?
A: Start with ChildCareEd’s Nutrition Month Activities and CACFP calendars/materials for simple daily ideas. For more tips and fresh ideas throughout the year, follow ChildCareEd on Facebook