Strategies For Educators

Strategies for Educators

Early childhood is a time to teach children social, emotional, and academic skills. It’s also an amazing opportunity to promote lifelong healthy habits. When we talk about healthy physical development, we think of three key areas: children’s eating habits, their levels of physical activity and sedentary activity, and whether or not they’re getting adequate sleep. Entry to early childhood programs provides an important opportunity for intervention because children eat meals in the classroom with teachers, there are opportunities to promote physical activity throughout the day, and for full-day programs with naptime – opportunities to promote healthy sleep habits. You are in a powerful position to help children develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime!

Here are some strategies to help you think about health behaviors in your classroom. Some of them will seem familiar, or be things you are already doing – and others may seem surprising. Which practices seem relevant and useful for your classroom?

HOPE Best Practices for Early Childhood Educators

1. OFFER VARIETY AND CHOICE: Let kids decide what to eat from the healthful foods you serve.  Encourage kids to “explore” with all five senses. HOPE’s child friendly mealtime placemat encourages children to explore food.
   
   
2. CREATE CALM: Turn off the TV during meals to encourage mindful eating.
   
   
3. BE CONSISTENT: Whenever possible, feed children at the same time every day and allow them to eat at their own pace.
   
   
4. DRINK TO HEALTH: Offer children at least 6 cups of water throughout the day and especially after play.  Limit fruit juice and do not serve soda to preschoolers.
   
   
5. DON’T JUDGE: Avoid rewarding kids for what they eat.  Help kids take charge of their bodes by asking them to notice if they feel full or have room for more.
   
   
6. TALK HEALTH, NOT LOOKS: Talk with kids about building healthy strong bodies.  Avoid messages about being fat or think or having an “ideal” body size.
   
   
7. LISTEN TO KIDS: Allow children to express feelings and help them problem solve so they don’t “eat their feelings” or rely on food for comfort.
   
   
8. DON’T USE FOOD as a reward, punishment or bribe. HOPE’s Helpful Hints for Rewards to use in the Classroom and Consequences to use in the Classroom.
   
   
9. PROMOTE PLAY: Make sure children have at least 1 hour of active play each day.  Limit TV and other screen time to 2 hours a day. See HOPE’s Helpful Hints for Physical Activity Schedules, Movement Activities, and Active Transitions
   
   
10. SCHEDULE SLEEP: Be consistent about nightly routines and bedtime to help preschoolers get the 11 to 13 hours of sleep they need.
    
    

Download PDF of HOPE Best Practices.

HOPE’s Helpful Hints for Promoting Healthy Habits in the Classroom:

Mealtime Placemat
Physical Activity Schedules
Movement Activities
Active Transitions
Rewards to use in the Classroom
Consequences to use in the Classroom