This month's Focus on Ethics asks readers to consider a situation involving a program director's efforts to provide children with a healthy diet in response to growing concerns about childhood obesity. The situation discussed here arose when a mother who was new to a childhood program, and who had a limited mastery of English, brought in a…

Young children depend on their families and teachers to support their well-being and promote positive development, including eating behaviors. Children's food preferences and willingness to try new foods are influenced by the people around them. The eating behaviors children practice early in life affect their health and nutrition--significant…

The preschool years are a critical period for the development of food preferences and lifelong eating habits. Between the ages of 2 and 5, children become increasingly responsive to external cues, such as television commercials that use popular cartoon characters to advertise foods, candy in supermarket checkout aisles, and fast-food restaurants…

Early childhood educators must realize that children are in their care at a critical time. Children learn to make decisions and develop the foundation for a healthy lifestyle during their early years. Many children spend a large number of their waking hours in early childhood settings. Family lives are very busy, and it is understandable that some…

Reviews what is known about the factors that influence child's food-acceptance patterns, including children's sensory responsiveness, innate preferences, and ability to learn about food; the consequences of eating; and the effect of child-feeding practices on children's food-acceptance patterns. Suggests that early experience contributes to the…

Suggests that, considering the many benefits to mothers, babies, and caregivers, maintaining the breastfeeding relationship is an important aspect of quality child care. Provides an extended list of breastfeeding advantages. Proposes that care providers should fully realize the positive difference breastfeeding can make, encourage mothers' choice…

Preschools provide a large proportion of children's daily food intake. This article guides child care center staff in understanding child nutrition guidelines and translating good nutrition into meal planning. It contains resources for menu planning, cooking, and food safety and includes specific recipes, a weekly meal planner, and contacts for…

Discusses ways for early childhood professionals to meet the objectives contained in the first of the National Education Goals for the Year 2000: the goal concerning readiness for school. (BB)