AREAS OF FOCUS
Child Nutrition
Developing healthy eating habits and creating healthy environments for young children impacts their relationship with food for the rest of their lives. Eating a variety of nutritious foods helps children grow and develop.
4 AREAS OF FOCUS
The Importance of Early Childhood Nutrition
Nutrition is key to a child’s growth and development during their early years and remains important for overall health throughout life. This critical period lays the foundation for lifelong physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Early eating experiences also influence how we eat as we grow older, which is why it’s so important to introduce young children to healthy foods, including a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Physical: Providing children with a variety of nutritious foods not only supports their healthy physical growth and development but also strengthens their immune system, helping to protect them from illnesses and infections. A balanced diet is key to maintaining overall health and energy.
Cognitive: Good nutrition is essential for the cognitive development of young children, whose brains grow rapidly during the first five years. Key nutrients support brain growth and help develop skills like attention and problem-solving. Well-nourished children are also better able to focus and learn.
Sensory: Offering children foods with different tastes, textures, smells, and appearances encourages them to engage and explore their senses.
Social & Emotional: Mealtime conversations help children build connections with peers and caregivers, while also practicing manners, conversation skills, and learning about each other’s preferences. The practices you use during meals and snacks also support the development of a positive relationship with food.
Language Literacy & Communication: Mealtimes are wonderful opportunities for caregivers to engage in meaningful conversations with children. These talks help strengthen brain connections, build closer relationships, and create a strong foundation for language development and learning.
THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP)
Alabama Healthy Kids, Healthy Future strongly supports the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) as a vital tool for reducing child hunger and food insecurity in Alabama.
Learn more about CACFP in Alabama.