On Demand modules

Planting, growing and harvesting a garden provide opportunities for growth and development in young children on multiple levels. From learning the origin of food to exposure to new and healthy foods, children benefit from the experience. This lesson explores practical ways to garden with children in a variety of settings, offers important tips for success and ideas for incorporating nutrition education. (2 hours)

Research documents the benefits of playing, learning, and simply being outdoors. National and international movements encourage more time in nature. However, this can be challenging for early care professionals. In this lesson, adult facilitators view examples of rural, suburban, and urban programs that support outdoor fun. Grow in confidence, understanding and capacity to support best practices in outdoor play for birth to school-age children. (2 hours)

Regular cleaning is important for maintaining attractive and healthy conditions in early care and education (ECE) settings. However, some cleaning products are associated with health issues and hazards. Small children are particularly vulnerable from exposure to chemicals in cleaning products because of their size, development, and behaviors. Learn easy ways to keep your facility cleaned, sanitized and disinfected without using hazardous products that might adversely affect children and staff. (4 hours)

En lugar de simplemente dictar decisiones, este curso de trabajo invita a las personas a pensar y practicar la comunicación sobre los protocolos de salud comunes de cuidado y educación temprana (ECE) y fuera de la escuela (OST). Proporciona herramientas prácticas como declaraciones de manuales, escenarios de práctica de reuniones de personal y hojas de datos familiares que los programas pueden personalizar según sus propias situaciones para mejorar la confianza y el cumplimiento de los protocolos de salud. Los estudiantes estarán capacitados para comunicar el "por qué" e implementar prácticas con las familias de manera culturalmente receptiva. (2 horas)

All child care professionals are responsible to keep the children in their care healthy and safe. Individuals who care for and teach children need to know how to 1) create safe spaces, 2) use safe practices with children, 3) develop and implement daily illness prevention and management strategies, and 4) plan to keep children safe if an emergency occurs. (6 hours)

Even in the United States where there seems to be an abundance of food and easy access to it, the reality is that 47 percent of children under the age of three are in low income families and one in four live in poverty. Children in poverty are almost five times more likely to have poorer health than their peers who are in families with higher income levels. This lesson explores the federal nutrition programs that provide important food and education resources for families in need. (2 hours)

This lesson explores the connection between children’s health and pest control in a child care facility. Creating healthy indoor environments for children includes recognizing situations that may be putting children's health at risk. Learn safer pest control practices to help assure the indoor environment for children is safe using Integrated Pest Management (IPM). (2 hours)

Both pests and pesticides can be harmful to children’s health. Children spend many hours in child care and it is our responsibility to properly manage pests and protect children from the risk of pesticide exposure. In this lesson, learn about several common pests found in child care facilities, how to manage them safely and effectively using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and about using pesticides safely. (2 hours)

With so many beverage options now available, the choices can be confusing to parents and caregivers. Beverages can contain significant amounts of added sugar and calories, so it is important to make sure that the healthiest choices are provided. Child care providers will learn appropriate beverage options for children in their care, the benefits of healthy beverages and strategies for how best to transition to serving them. (2 hours)

Breastfeeding benefits mothers and babies in many ways, including helping to prevent childhood obesity. Continuing to breastfeed for the recommended amount of time can be challenging, especially when children need to be in child care. Child care providers can learn practical solutions for encouraging and supporting mothers to breastfeed their babies. (2 hours)

Studies show that children who spend more time viewing TV are at an increased risk for overweight and obesity due to increased sedentary activity. Screen time refers to all digital media including TV and can interfere with cognitive development for children under the age of two. Child care providers will learn the best practice recommendations and gain an understanding for why it is important to limit screen time for young children. (2 hours)

Research shows that physical activity provides many benefits for everyone and that it is important for parents and care providers to be good role models. This lesson will help child care providers learn the most up-to-date recommendations for physical activity levels for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and presents new ways to keep kids moving. (2 hours)

Young children begin to develop food preferences and eating habits that will impact their growth and development. Child care professionals are in a unique position to foster healthy eating habits in young children that will lay the foundation for healthy choices throughout the child’s lifetime. This module explores the importance of nurturing healthy eaters and includes strategies and ideas to implement within early care and education programs. (2 hours)

Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is a nationwide call-to-action that encourages and supports child care and early education providers to make positive changes in order to work toward a healthier future for children. The program is for all types of child care: family care homes, centers, Early Head Start and Head Start, preschool, tribal, military, and faith-based and offers childhood obesity prevention resources and tools to assist child care and preschool providers. (2 hours)

Concentrating on well-being can help program leaders manage workplace stress and alleviate symptoms of burnout. The well-being of leaders is directly tied to the success of their program(s). This course's Six Sides of Well-Being Framework offers insight and tips for boosting resilience, reconnecting with purpose, creating balance, and overcoming burnout.

Early stages of exploration and interactions among infants and toddlers can include behaviors such as a child grabs toys, pulls hair, hits, pushes, pokes, or bites. This module shares why young children resort to these behaviors, and how professionals can use positive guidance to help children learn to solve problems without hurting others. Assessments of current guidance practices are included to determine if improvements are needed to enhance the quality of care for infants and toddlers. (2 hours)

Colds, stomach viruses, and ear infections top the list of common illnesses for infants and toddlers. Young children in child care centers and homes tend to get common illnesses more frequently than children who are not in group care. In many child care settings, illness moves quickly from one child to another. This lesson offers strategies to reduce the spread of germs in infant/toddler care and helps to assess current practices and develop ways to keep young children and adults healthy. (2 hours)

Supervising children is an essential part of a child care professional’s job. In this module professionals will identify and analyze key components of quality supervision practices. Opportunities are available throughout the module to compare current supervision methods with best practices to determine areas for improvement. (2 hours)

When a family enrolls their child in a child care program, they trust that the professionals working with their child will keep him safe. As curious infants and toddlers develop, their desire to explore presents unique safety challenges. This lesson will guide professionals who work with infants and toddlers to assess play spaces, children’s experiences, and current practices to maximize children’s safety. (2 hours)

Increased rates of childhood obesity prompted a serious look at children’s eating habits and lifestyle choices. This lesson provides instruction on using the award-winning Color Me Healthy curriculum and supplementary materials to promote healthy eating and physical activity among preschool children. Read the content, review the videos, and complete reflection assignments to obtain strategies to incorporate nutrition education and physical activity into the early childhood setting. (2 hours)

Los niños pequeños comienzan a desarrollar preferencias alimentarias y hábitos alimenticios que afectarán su crecimiento y desarrollo. Los profesionales de cuidado infantil están en una posición única para fomentar hábitos de alimenticios saludables en los niños pequeños que sentarán las bases para elecciones saludables a lo largo de la vida del niño. Este módulo explora la importancia de fomentar la alimentación saludable e incluye estrategias e ideas para implementar dentro de los programas de cuidado y educación temprana. (2 hours)

Las investigaciones muestran que la actividad física ofrece muchos beneficios para todos y que es importante que los padres y proveedores de cuidado sean buenos modelos a seguir. Esta lección les ayudará a los proveedores de cuidado de niños a aprender cuales son las recomendaciones hasta la fecha de niveles de actividad física para los bebés, los niños pequeños y los niños preescolares. Se presentarán nuevas ideas para mantener a los niños activos. (2 hours)

La lactancia beneficia a las madres y a los bebés de muchas maneras, incluyendo ayudar a prevenir la obesidad infantil. Seguir amamantando por la cantidad recomendada de tiempo puede ser un reto, especialmente cuando los niños tienen que estar en un sitio de cuidado. En esta lección, los proveedores de cuidado infantil aprenderán soluciones prácticas para el fomento y apoyo a las madres que elijen amamantar a sus bebés. (2 hours)

Las bebidas saludables son importantes para mantener el cuerpo hidratado. Dado que las bebidas también pueden ser una fuente de nutrientes, es importante asegurarse de que se brinden las opciones más saludables para los niños pequeños. Con tantas opciones de bebidas ahora disponibles, las opciones pueden ser confusas para los padres y cuidadores. En este módulo, los proveedores de cuidado infantil aprenderán las opciones de bebidas apropiadas para los niños bajo su cuidado, los beneficios de las bebidas saludables y las estrategias para ponerlas a disposición de los niños. (2 hours)

Estudios muestran que los niños que pasan más tiempo viendo la televisión se encuentran en un mayor riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad debido al incremento en la actividad sedentaria. El tiempo de pantalla se refiere a todos los medios digitales, incluyendo la TV y puede interferir con el desarrollo cognitivo de los niños menores de dos años de edad. En esta lección, los proveedores de cuidado infantil aprenderán las mejores prácticas y recomendaciones y ganarán una comprensión de por qué es importante limitar el tiempo de pantalla para los niños pequeños. (2 hours)

Niños Sanos, Futuro Sano continúa la labor de ¡A Moverse! Cuidado Infantil (LMCC), la cual fue parte de la iniciativa nacional ¡A Moverse!, de la Ex Primera Dama Michelle Obama para prevenir la obesidad infantil. Este módulo sustituye el módulo anterior que estaba disponible como Prevención de Obesidad Infantil ¡A Moverse! Cuidado Infantil Introducción. (2 hours)

Personal health and wellness is a journey in which everyone progresses at their own pace. The opportunity to make healthy eating choices is based on knowing what those choices are, strategies to promote those healthy choices and setting goals to make healthier choices. Traditionally, ECE professionals focus on the health and wellness of the children in their care with little attention to their personal wellness. This module provides information and strategies to make and model healthy choices, create a healthy food environment, and navigate the food environment in a healthier way. (4 hours)

Eating healthy on a budget can be a significant challenge for many families. Nutrition Links is a program offered through Penn State Extension that provides evidence-based nutrition education for low-income families. Hands-on cooking opportunities along with practical strategies help families make better nutrition and health decisions. Child care providers can host Nutrition Links programs as a valuable family engagement opportunity that can encourage healthy practices at home and in the child care setting. (2 hours)

Oral health is an important part of a child’s overall health, and dental care should begin early. Tooth decay is a preventable disease of children and adults that can have negative effects on lifelong health. Early care and education professionals can play an important role with children and families toward establishing good oral health habits for young children and maintaining healthy teeth. (2 hours)

The Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) initiative, developed by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is an evidence-based program to support after school and other out-of-school-time programs to offer healthy foods and beverages, and opportunities for children to be more active. (7 hours)