Early Childhood

It's never too early to build healthy habits. 

 Illinois Nutrition Education Programs can provide your preschool, center, or Head Start location with engaging, high-quality programming and resources to encourage preschool-aged children and their families to eat healthy foods and be more physically active. Our programming supports standards related to health and nutrition for this age group. In 2024, INEP worked with 125 early childcare facilities. Contact us for more information.

Early childhood programming that makes a difference

Nutrition Education Offerings

Nutrition education for students and caregivers: One option is available for preschool-aged youth, and one is available for the student and parent/caregiver to learn together.

  • Color Me Healthy is a nutrition and physical activity program for preschool-aged youth. Lessons are between 20-30 minutes in length. If Color Me Healthy is provided, a program for parents/caregivers must also be offered at least once per quarter.
  • EatPlayGrowTM is a curriculum for preschool-aged youth and their parents/caregivers together. Lessons are taught using fun and interactive games, art projects, stories, and movement to help learn the importance of healthy eating and physical activity together.

Nutrition education for parents/caregivers: Three curricula options are available. Our team members can help you determine the right curriculum for your location and audience.

  • Healthy Cents is a curriculum for adults designed to teach how to save more money while making healthy food choices. Each lesson provides a connection to food budgeting along with the nutrition topic. One example is a lesson on starting a container garden for vegetables and herbs.
  • MyPlate for My Family is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and designed for adults who are parents or caregivers to youth ages 2 to 18.
  • Create Better Health is a curriculum designed to teach adults how to use foods on hand to make nourishing meals. Topics include food budgeting, nutrition, physical activity, and cooking demonstrations.

Professional Development for Staff

Staff professional development: SNAP-Ed team members can provide professional development opportunities to your early childhood education staff in a variety of topics. Contact us for more information. Illinois Extension is an approved Gateways provider. 

Topics may include:

  • Family and community engagement
  • Staff wellness
  • Motivated by movement
  • Healthy eating starts with positive role models
  • Choosy eaters can be healthy eaters
  • Gardening in early childcare centers
  • Promoting nutrition and physical activity
  • Healthy beverage choices

Go NAPSACC

The early childhood education assessment tool used by Illinois SNAP-Ed is Go NAPSACC. Go NAPSACC is an interactive, web-based tool for early childhood providers. The Illinois Public Health Institute has included Go NAPSACC in its Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (ISPAN). Illinois SNAP-Ed has partnered with INCRAA to support regional collaboration efforts.

Other Technical Assistance

Illinois SNAP-Ed may provide other supports to early childhood education locations as part of our partnership. Technical assistance provided may include:

  • Assistance with nutrition and physical activity policies
  • Provide healthy role model strategies
  • Identify best practices for nutrition and physical activity promoting environments
  • Assist with menu planning
  • Provide healthy messaging to use within your early childhood education site
  • Connect you with community resources
  • Serve on parent wellness advisory committees or quality enrichment circles