With the epidemic of childhood obesity now affecting even very young children (the US Centers for Disease Control [CDC] says one in five children ages two to nineteen are obese), parents are taking a hard look at the calories their children consume–especially calories from drinks. Government regulation is requiring child care facilities do the same. Pair this latest statistic on childhood obesity with the need to keep little ones properly hydrated during the summer heat and the benefits of healthy beverages are clear ... especially for children too young to tell adults how thirsty they are.
The safe and healthy answer? Tap water is a low-cost, calorie-free drink, and it’s good for our teeth! Did you know that tap water with fluoride helps prevent cavities for all ages, not just children? Water is important to good oral and overall health and contributes to our quality of life.
A resource you’ll love is Increasing Access to Drinking Water and Other Healthier Beverages in Early Care and Education Settings from the CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. This comprehensive resource makes it easy to have water available to children (and adults!) throughout the day. And there’s the extra bonus of making sure your facility meets the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirement and NC Child Care Rule .0901.
Engaging and informative, with plenty of pictures, the colorful guide steps readers through the Dos and Don’ts of beverages for children, explains current regulations, and helps child care programs assess where they are, decide which standards to work on, and choose tips, ideas, and resources to assist with implementing recommendations. A sample action plan and parent letter are just two of the resources to help programs succeed.
You play an important role in a child’s healthy diet...for life! Making healthy beverages such as good-for-you water available to the children in your care are a vital part of that. To see the CDC guide on the importance of water and healthy beverages, click here.
