The Problem: 

One of the many responsibilities child care providers juggle is helping children develop their social-emotional skills. But providers need tools to guide their efforts. 

One Solution:

Both parents and early care and education professionals can use the Tell Me a Story series to support children’s healthy social-emotional development. It includes guides to six children’s books with social-emotional themes. 

Explore 40 recipes inspired by the cuisines of Central and South America, Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia and the Pacific Islands. Easy-to-prepare and kid-tested, the recipes introduce a few new spices or ingredients without being overwhelming. Each includes information on how the ingredients in the recipe would be credited in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern.

Find those recipes here.

Each February, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Here are some tips for use year-round.

The Problem:

Many child care resources are available only in English. They are not accessible to the one in five U.S. families who speak a language other than English in their homes.

One Solution:

The Health Tips for Families Series —a collection of fact sheets for families—is now available in nine languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali, Hmong, Burmese, and Amharic. The fact sheets allow providers to share information with families on health topics that are considered priorities by the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW). They also may help states and providers meet CCDF health and safety requirements.

The Problem:

Children with poor oral health can experience a range of problems: difficulty concentrating due to tooth pain; health issues, such as infections; and impaired growth and development.

One Solution:

Four colorful and informative posters on oral health from the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW).

Ever since First Lady Michelle Obama launched her Let’s Move! campaign in 2010, childhood obesity prevention has gained a lot of attention. Experts agree that obesity prevention needs to start early, and child care programs are a great place for children to build the eating and active play habits that will help them grow up healthy. Child care providers, advocates, and policymakers throughout the country have invested time, money, and effort over the past eight years to make child care a healthier place for our youngest children. Has all that work made a difference? A new report by Healthy Eating Research takes a look at how far early care and education (ECE) policies, systems, and environments have come since 2010.