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Course Objectives

After reviewing training content and answering interactive and reflective questions, you will be able to do each of the following, as assessed by online discussions and quizzes:

  1. Identify why healthy eating is important in early learning settings.
  2. Explain where information can be found about nutrition standards and best practices for healthy eating in early learning programs.
  3. Name standards and best practices related to healthy foods and beverages for early learning settings.
  4. Describe strategies for supporting healthy eating in your early learning program.


STARS Credit: 

As of October 1, 2023, online trainings can provide Washington State providers with State Training and Registry System credits through the Continuing Education Proposal (CEP) application provided by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF). STARS credits will no longer be issued automatically upon completion of the course on the Nourished & Active website. For more information on the CEP process, please visit the FAQ page . You can also learn more about this process on the DCYF website.

The training should take about 2 hours to complete. 

We also offer this course in Spanish.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Overview and Introduction

    • Course Overview and Objectives

    • Introduction and Training Outline

    • Pause and Reflect

  • 2

    Part 1: Healthy eating in childhood and early learning

    • Defining "healthy eating" in early learning

    • Influencing taste preferences

    • Influencing child and adult health

    • Healthy eating in early learning

    • Healthy eating in early learning, continued

    • Introduction to CACFP

    • Using CACFP guidance

    • Part 1: In Review

    • Part 1: Reflection
  • 3

    Part 2: How to support healthy infant feeding in early learning

    • Introduction to Part 2

    • Supporting breastfeeding

    • Serving healthy complementary foods for infants 6 to 11 months old

    • CACFP guidance for complementary beverages

    • CACFP guidance for complementary foods

    • Part 2: In Review

    • Part 2: Reflection
  • 4

    Part 3: How to provide healthy beverages for children 1 to 5 years old

    • Introduction to Part 3

    • Provide and offer water

    • Provide and offer water: What would you do?

    • Serve the right milk for a child's age

    • Serve the right milk for a child's age: Video

    • Serve only 100% fruit juice - but in limited amounts

    • Serve only 100% fruit juice - but in limited amounts: What would you do?

    • Do not serve sugar-sweetened beverages

    • Do not serve sugar-sweetened beverages: Video

    • Part 3: In Review

    • Part 3: Reflection
  • 5

    Part 4: How to provide healthy foods for children 1 to 5 year old

    • Introduction to Part 4

    • Serve more and varied fruits and vegetables

    • Serve more and varied fruits and vegetables - Video

    • Serve whole grains

    • Serve healthy proteins

    • Limit fried foods

    • Limit sugar in foods

    • Part 4: In Review

    • Part 4: Reflection
  • 6

    Part 5: Additional strategies to support healthy eating

    • Introduction to Part 5

    • Use responsive feeding

    • Create supportive mealtimes

    • Written policies, guidelines, and handbooks

    • Part 5: In Review

    • Part 5: Reflection
  • 7

    Part 6: Addressing common challenges using practice scenarios

    • Introduction to Part 6

    • Picky eating: challenges and solutions

    • Picky eating: tips and resources

    • Time and affordability: challenges and solutions

    • Time and affordability: resources

    • Gaining family support for healthy eating: challenges and solutions

    • Gaining family support for healthy eating: tips

    • Part 6: In Review
  • 8

    Final Quiz and Wrap-Up

    • Final Quiz

    • Action Plan

    • Summary and Wrap-Up
  • 9

    Evaluation

    • Training Evaluation