DOCUMENT RESUME 
         TITLE           Making Nutrition Count for Children. Nutrition Guidance for 
                         Child Care Homes. 
         INSTITUTION     Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. 
         PUB DATE        2002-00-00 
         NOTE            52p. 
         CONTRACT        133385 
         PUB TYPE        Guides - Non-Classroom (055) 
         EDRS PRICE      EDRS Price MFOl/PC03 Plus Postage. 
         DESCRIPTORS     *Child Care; Child Care Centers; Nutrition 
         ABSTRACT 
                        This booklet serves to help all child-care providers with 
                                                                        (2) Nutrients 
         valuable information such as (1) How children grow and develop, 
         needed for growth and development, (3) Dietary Guidelines for Americans, (4) 
         The USDA Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children, and (3) Helping children 
         learning about food and eating. The booklet also contains sample letters to 
         parents and choking prevention information. (AMT) 
                        Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made 
                                      from the original document. 
                                                                Acknowledgement                                 Nutrition Guidance for Child Care Homes 
                                                    This project was developed with input from                  Making 
                                                    a task force composed of child care practi-                 Nutrition Count 
                                                    tioners from throughout the Nation, 
                                                    including Lumina Training Associates                        for Children 
                                                    (through a contract with the National Food 
                                                    Service.  Management Institute, The 
                                                    University of Mississippi). Their expertise                 YOU PLAY A KEY  ROLE 
                                                    and advice are gratefully acknowledged.                     IN CHILDREN'S LIVES!                                 1 
                                                    We also would like to thank Lisa Gleeson, 
                                                    USDA Design Center, for graphic design                      HOW CHILDREN GROW 
                                                    and production, and Becky Heavner,                          AND DEVELOP                                          2 
                                                    Alexandria, Virginia, for illustrations. 
                                                    This project has been funded with Federal                   NUTRIENTS NEEDED FOR 
                                                    funds from the U.S.  Department of                          GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT                             10 
                                                    Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 
                                                    Team Nutrition, under Grant #I33385 to                      DIETARY GUIDELINES 
                                                    the University of Mississippi. The mention                  FOR AMERICANS                                      16 
                                                    of trade names, commercial products, or 
                                                    organizations does not imply endorsement                    HELPING CHILDREN LEARN 
                                                    by the U.S.  Government.                                    ABOUT FOOD AND EATING                              2 6 
                                                                                                                KEEPING PARENTS INFORMED                           3 9 
                                                                                                                CHOKING PREVENTION                                 43 
                                                    In accordance with Federal law and US. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimi- 
                                                                          nating on the basis of race, color,  national origin, sex, age,  or disability. 
                                                      To  file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA,  Director, Office of Civil Rights,  Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 
                                                         1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,  Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). 
                                                                                   USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.                                               1 
                                                                                                                         I           I 
                                                       You play a  key role in childrens lives. 
                 As  a child care provider, you play a key role in                               This booklet provides basic information: 
                 children's lives. The meals and snacks you serve help                               How children grow and develop 
                 them to grow and be healthy. The food-related                                       Nutrients needed for growth and development 
                 experiences they have while in your care help them                                  Dietary Guidelines for Americans 
                 to learn about food and eating, and influence their                                 The USDA Food Guide Pyramid for Young 
                 attitudes about their world. Research has shown                                     Children 
                 that there are crucial relationships among nutrition,                               Helping children learn about food and eating 
                 health, and learning. You are in a special position to 
                                             it means to eat for good health, 
                 show children what                                                              The booklet also includes: 
                 including the importance of eating a variety of                                     Sample letters to parents 
                 foods. This booklet will help you learn more about                                  Choking prevention information 
                 foods and the nutritional needs of children and 
                 how to help children learn to make healthful                                    Use  this booklet and the companion booklet, Menu 
                 food choices.                                                                   Magic for Children 
                                                                                                                             -   Menu Planning Guide for 
                                                                                                 Child Care Homes, as  tools to plan nutritious meals 
                                                                                                 for children and help them learn to enjoy a healthy 
                                                                                                 way of eating.