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Course Objectives

By the end of this training, you will be able to:

  1. Explain how developmentally appropriate and supportive mealtime environments benefit young children, families, and early learning programs.
  2. Describe the Six Principles for feeding young children in group settings.
  3. Consider which strategies you can use to promote healthy mealtime environments in your program and how they relate to Early Achievers.


STARS Credit: 1.5

Training provides one and a half (1.5) STARS continuing education hours in Health, Safety & Nutrition. See FAQ page for more information on STARS credits. 

The training should take about 90 minutes to complete. 

Our trainings can be taken once per annual STARS credit cycle (July-June). You will only receive credits for when you completed the training and only once per cycle.

Training Outline

  • 1

    Overview and Introduction

    • Course Overview and Objectives

    • Training Outline

    • Early Achievers Connections
  • 2

    Part 1: WHY & WHAT

    • WHY MEALTIMES MATTER AND WHAT MAKES A MEALTIME HEALTHY

    • Young child eating habits

    • Why do mealtimes matter?

    • Pause and Reflect

    • What is a healthy and supportive mealtime environment? - Video

    • Family Style Dining

    • Benefits for Providers

    • Healthy mealtime practices also benefit providers

    • Six Principles for Feeding Young Children in Group Settings

    • Six Principles for Feeding Young Children in Group Settings - Continued

    • Part 1 Review
  • 3

    Part 2: HOW

    • HOW TO CREATE HEALTHY MEALTIMES

    • How can you create healthy and supportive mealtimes?

    • 1) BEFORE MEALTIMES - Classroom Activities

    • 1) BEFORE MEALTIMES - Appropriate utensils and supplies

    • 1) BEFORE MEALTIMES - Prepare healthy foods

    • 1) BEFORE MEALTIMES - Prepare healthy foods

    • 1) BEFORE MEALTIMES - Transitions

    • 2) DURING MEALTIMES - Ideas & Video

    • 2) DURING MEALTIMES - Tips

    • 2) DURING MEALTIMES - Conversation

    • 2) DURING MEALTIMES - Honoring Cues

    • 3) AFTER MEALTIMES

    • Tips for Success - Video

    • ENGAGING WITH FAMILIES

    • Resources You Can Share With Families

    • Working With Families - Written Policy

    • Part 2 Review
  • 4

    Part 3: PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT

    • USING MEALTIMES TO PROMOTE CHILD DEVELOPMENT, LEARNING, AND GROWTH

    • Mealtime Learning and Development Opportunities - Video

    • Mealtime Learning and Development Opportunities - Discussion

    • Mealtime Learning and Development Opportunities

    • Scenario 1 - Internal Cues and Food Intake

    • Scenario 1 - Ideas

    • Scenario 2 - Social and Emotional Self-Regulation

    • Scenario 2 - Ideas

    • Scenario 3 - Mealtime Motor Skills

    • Scenario 3 - Ideas

    • Key Resources for Early Learning
  • 5

    Final Quiz and Wrap-Up

    • Final Quiz

    • Action Plan

    • Summary and Wrap-Up
  • 6

    Evaluation

    • Training Evaluation

Instructor

WA State Approved STARS Trainer

Emilee Quinn

Emilee Quinn has worked as researcher, evaluator, and technical assistance provider for the University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition since 2011. She currently manages online STARS trainings for early learning providers in Washington State and leads and supports projects relating to public health nutrition and access to healthy food in partnership with community-based and governmental partners. Her prior experience also includes supporting systems-building efforts for early learning and child wellbeing initiatives in Washington State. She received her Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Health Behavior and Health Education.