Measure 48 — SH 5

Understanding Healthy Lifestyle: Eating and Nutrition

Child shows awareness of eating habits that support healthy growth

The foundation for a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, physical activity, and enough rest) across a lifespan begins in early childhood. The development of healthy habits in young children is affected by the beliefs and practices of the adults closest to them. One aspect of a healthy lifestyle is developing an awareness and practice of healthy eating and nutrition (healthy food choices). The development of healthy eating habits is influenced by the feeding relationship between the adult and the child. It is important that the adult be consistent in allowing the young child to try new foods and textures and to be patient if the child rejects a new food item. Providing a supportive environment (offering but not forcing children to eat a particular food item, for example) and modeling healthy eating habits (such as eating fruits and vegetables) invite children to explore new food experiences and adopt healthy eating habits.

Young children’s eating preferences and behaviors are influenced by direct teaching about healthy eating, adult modeling, and positive experiences during meals at home and in an infant/toddler or preschool program. Programs should be sure to identify and communicate about family preferences, cultural and religious dietary requirements, and food allergies when providing healthy eating experiences.

Infants begin by communicating hunger to their caregiver. They learn that their caregiver will respond and satisfy their need for nourishment. Infants accept food and participate in their feeding by anticipating food and asking for more, using gestures and facial expressions. For example, infants may reach or move towards food when they see it. Older infants begin to explore their food by smearing it on their high chairs or playing with it.

Toddlers continue to explore new food and food textures. A toddler might be willing to explore a variety of available food textures (such as a smooth banana, chewy, whole-wheat bread, crunchy carrots, and soft peaches). As they develop, toddlers begin to develop food preferences and may not want to eat new foods or particular food items. Toddlers may also begin to prefer having food prepared a certain way and to eat each food separately rather than mixed together. They are influenced, though, by adult and peer modeling; and they may be tempted to try something that another child prefers to eat.

As they develop food preferences, most young preschoolers will eat a variety of foods. While young preschoolers tend to prefer simple food, they may try new foods or pick favorite foods from a selection presented by an adult. Eating with their families and at school teaches children to follow adult guidance about eating and provides opportunities for children to begin to understand healthy eating choices. For example, they may eat slowly because they have been asked not to eat too fast.

Older preschoolers begin to make healthy food choices, although they may need some reminders from an adult and they may prefer to eat other, non-nourishing foods. Likewise, older preschoolers may be able to communicate the role that food plays in health and to state why particular food groups are important (saying such things as “Milk makes me strong”).