Category: Early childhood education

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition—including undernutrition and obesity—threatens the health and development of children globally, highlighting the crucial importance of proper nutrition during their early years. In early childhood education (ECE) settings, a comprehensive approach to nutrition is paramount for supporting children's rapid growth and establishing healthy, lifelong eating habits.

According to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), healthy eating is directly linked to Learning Outcome 3: Children Have a Strong Sense of Wellbeing. By providing nutritious meals and teaching good eating habits, educators lay a crucial foundation for children's overall physical, social, and emotional development.

Globally, 37 million children under five were overweight or obese in 2022, underscoring the critical need for early intervention. The pre-K classroom is a vital environment for shaping healthy attitudes toward food, making it crucial to understand how would you promote nutrition in a pre-K classroom effectively and positively.

According to a study published in *The FASEB Journal*, a positive mealtime environment in early childhood settings can significantly impact children's eating habits and their relationship with food. This guide explores practical ways that educators can promote a positive mealtime environment that supports both nutrition and learning.