Online Resources

• What Do I Need to Know about Physical Development in Young Children?
  This IEL resource includes information on expected physical development of children birth to 5 as well as resources for Illinois parents of children who may have special developmental needs.
  http://www.illinoisearlylearning.org/faqs/physicaldev.htm
• Childhood Obesity Project
  Health-related suggestions for meal planning, recipes, and healthy physical activities are listed on this Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies site.
  http://www.ilchildcare.org/cop/cop.htmEditor's note: This url has changed: http://www.inccrra.org/overview.aspx?id=2093
• Fitness and Your 4- to 5-Year-Old
  This site discusses recommendations related to preschoolers from the National Association of Sports and Physical Education, including encouraging children to participate in physical activities so that they can lead fit and healthy lifestyles now and as they grow.
  http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/fitness/fitness_4_5.html
• Children's Nutrition and Learning
  This Digest reviews research on the link between children's nutrition and learning from the prenatal through school years and discusses the importance of nutrition education for children.
  http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1994/nhec194.html
• Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children
  The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion Web site provides the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children, along with tips for using the Food Guide Pyramid with young children. The guide focuses on young children's food preferences and nutritional requirements.
  http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html
• Recipes for Kids
  Letting children help with food and meal preparation is a great way to encourage them to try new foods and think about nutrition. This site includes recipes for children with special health concerns, such as diabetes.
  http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/index.html
• Feeling Hungry? Satisfying Books about Food for Young Children
  The Cooperative Children's Book Center reviews a selection of books for young children on food topics, such as eating vegetables and foods for special occasions.
  http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/detailListBooks.asp?idBookLists=115
• Eating: Understanding and Guiding How Your Child Eats
  This parent guide from the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development suggests ways that parents can make mealtime with children a good experience.
  http://www.education.pitt.edu/ocd/publications/parentingguides/HowYourChildEats.pdf
• Facts on Kids Health
  This Web page for parents includes statistics on health issues affecting children as well as activity suggestions.
  http://www.fitnessforyouth.umich.edu/frames/frameset_parents.html
• Promoting Physical Activity in Children: Parental Influences
  This Digest discusses socialization factors that affect a child's involvement in physical activities. These factors include parent activity levels and direct support from significant others such as parents, brothers and sisters, and close friends.
  http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-3/activity.htm
• Keeping Kids Active: Ideas for Parents
  Children usually love to play, but without encouragement, they may choose less active play. Here are suggestions from the Mayo Clinic on how to help kids stay active.
  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/FL00030
• Motor Development
  This parenting guide includes a list of motor development milestones.
  http://www.education.pitt.edu/ocd/publications/parentingguides/MotorDevelopment.pdf

Illinois Early Learning Tip Sheets

• Physical Fitness for Preschool Age Children
  http://www.illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/fitness-preschool.htm
• Physical Fitness for Toddlers
  http://www.illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/fitness.htm
• Is My Child OK?
  http://www.illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/normaldev.htm
• Building Endurance: Let's Get Physical!
  http://www.illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/endurance.htm
• Games for All Young Children
  http://www.illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/games.htm
• Say Yes to Healthy Snacks
  http://www.illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/healthysnacks.htm

Organizations

• Illinois Interagency Nutrition Council
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences
  122 Mumford Hall, MC-710
  1301 W. Gregory
  Urbana, IL 61801
  http://inc.aces.uiuc.edu
• Child Care Nutrition Resource System
  Food and Nutrition Information Center
  National Agricultural Library
  10301 Baltimore Avenue
  Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
  http://www.nal.usda.gov/childcare/index.html
  Editor's note: This url has changed: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=14&tax_level=1

ERIC Database: Selected Records

To search the ERIC database for resources on this topic, use this search strategy: preschool children or young children. Combine with nutrition or eating habits or physical fitness or exercise.

How to Obtain ERIC Documents and Journal Articles:

References identified with an ED (ERIC document)or EJ (ERIC journal) are cited in the ERIC database. ERIC Documents (citations identified by an ED number) may be available in full text from ERIC at no cost at the ERIC Web site: http://www.eric.ed.gov. Journal articles are available from the original journal, interlibrary loan services, or article reproduction clearinghouses.

If you would like to conduct your own free ERIC database searches via the Internet, go directly to http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=advanced

---

• ERIC Journal No.: EJ621998
  Helping Children to Eat Right. Nutrition, Health, and Safety
  Author(s): Johnson, Susan
  Source: Journal of Early Education and Family Review, v8 n3 p30-31 Jan-Feb 2001
  Publication Date: 2001
  Abstract: This article asserts that children have the ability to control their caloric intake when they are permitted to follow their internal hunger cues. While recognizing the great variability of opinions concerning food intake and the important role teachers play, the author advises serving a variety of foods and encouraging outdoor physical activity to avoid childhood obesity. 
• ERIC Document No.: ED439097
  Preschool Movement Programs: Designing Developmentally Appropriate, Inclusive Curricula and Games
  Author(s): McCall, Renee; Craft, Diane H.
  Publication Date: March 25, 2000
  Availability: Full text available: search by ED number at http://www.eric.ed.gov/
  Abstract: Preschool children need instruction in movement in order to become skillful movers. A child-centered approach emphasizes activities that are child-initiated and teacher-facilitated, enabling each child to achieve specific goals and objectives. The program adapts continually and creates equipment to enable students with limited mobility to function more independently. 
• ERIC Journal No.: EJ602128
  The Basics of Exercising the Mind and Body
  Author(s): Leppo, Marjorie L.; Davis, Diane; Crim, Bruce
  Source: Childhood Education, v76 n3 p142-47 Spr 2000
  Publication Date: 2000
  Abstract: This article explains how movement stimulates cognitive development, the role of aerobic activity, and the importance of skill development. It offers suggestions for enhancing preschool motor learning experiences, practicing movement fundamentals, reinforcing classroom activities through movement, and building a foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
• ERIC Journal No.:  EJ677381
  Get Kids Moving: Simple Activities to Build Gross-Motor Skills
  Source: Texas Child Care, v27 n1 p10-19 Sum 2003
  Publication Date: 2003
  Abstract: This article highlights the importance of activities to build gross motor skills and provides hints for encouraging such activities. 
• ERIC Journal No.:  EJ603946 
  Red Rover, Red Rover, It's Time to Move Over!
  Author(s): Portman, Penelope A.; Staley, Lynn
  Source: Young Children, v55 n1 p67-72 Jan 2000
  Publication Date: 2000
  Abstract: This article presents information on physical activity levels in young children and provides guidelines for appropriately promoting physical activity in early childhood classrooms, focusing on movement concepts of body, space, effort, and relationship. Included are appropriate teaching strategies and activities.