Child Nutrition and Health

Instructor: Ninet Moradi

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Gain expertise in early childhood nutrition by exploring age-specific dietary needs from infancy through preschool.
Develop practical skills in responsive feeding and mealtime strategies that support physical growth, brain development, and emotional well-being.
Identify and manage feeding challenges, such as picky eating and allergies; create age-appropriate nutrition activities that promote healthy habits.

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There are 5 modules in this course

Are you passionate about shaping the future of young lives? This engaging, hands-on course dives into the critical nutritional needs of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, equipping you with the knowledge to support their growth every step of the way.

First Five Years Matter Most! From the moment a child is born, their brain and body begin a rapid transformation. Neural connections spark learning, behavior, and emotional development, while bones, muscles, and immune systems demand a steady stream of nutrients to thrive. Proper nutrition during these formative years isn’t just about meals. It’s about unlocking a child’s full potential. Through the interactive activities and real-world nutrition planning exercises in this course, you’ll learn how to tailor dietary strategies to each developmental stage and design balanced, age-appropriate meals, ensuring children grow up strong, smart, and emotionally resilient. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or health professional, this course empowers you to make a lasting impact on children's lives through informed nutritional choices.

Welcome to the course! This course provides a comprehensive introduction to early childhood nutrition, guiding you through the essential principles that support healthy growth from infancy through the preschool years. In this module, you will build a foundation for understanding early childhood nutrition and how to support healthy growth through balanced food choices. You'll be introduced to malnutrition, the requirements for serving fluid milk, and the five main food groups, which help ensure young children receive the nutrients they need to thrive.

What's included

2 videos5 readings1 assignment

2 videos Total 3 minutes

🎥 Course Introduction 2 minutes
🎥 Meet your Instructor 2 minutes

5 readings Total 50 minutes

🎥 Importance of Nutrition in Early Years 10 minutes
🎥 What is Malnutrition? 10 minutes
📖 Fluid Milk Basics: Ages and Requirements 10 minutes
🎥 Food Groups & MyPlate 10 minutes
📖 References & Resources 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

❓ Nutrition for Young Children Quiz (with Explanations) 30 minutes

In this module, you will explore the essential nutritional requirements of infants, focusing on how proper nourishment supports both physical growth and brain development.

What's included

3 videos4 readings3 assignments

3 videos Total 7 minutes

🎥 Nutrition for Infants & Feeding Relationship 2 minutes
🎥 Nutritional Recommendations for Infants 5 minutes
🎥 Common Feeding Concerns 1 minute

4 readings Total 40 minutes

📖 Recommended Infant Meal Pattern 10 minutes
📖 Healthy Eating Tips for Infants 10 minutes
🎥 Importance of Breastfeeding 10 minutes
🎥 Benefits of Breastfeeding 10 minutes

3 assignments Total 90 minutes

❓ Breastfeeding Awareness Quiz (with Explanations) 30 minutes
❓ Breastfeeding: Benefits & Outcomes 30 minutes
❓ Module Quiz: Infants 30 minutes

In this module, you will learn the fundamental nutritional needs of toddlers, exploring engaging and age-appropriate activities, as well as effective strategies for managing childhood obesity and picky eating habits.

What's included

3 videos7 readings4 assignments

3 videos Total 4 minutes

🎥 Nutritional Recommendations for Toddlers 2 minutes
🎥 Picky Eaters & Nutritional Tips 1 minute
🎥 Food-Related Activities 1 minute

7 readings Total 70 minutes

📖 Tips for Picky Eaters 10 minutes
🎥 Childhood Obesity Risks: How It Affects Your Child's Future 10 minutes
🎥 Understanding & Addressing Child Obesity (Extended Resources for Deeper Understanding) 10 minutes
🎥 Family-Style Meals: CACFP Food Program at CDCLA 10 minutes
📖 Implementing Family-Style Meals at Home or Other Settings 10 minutes
📖 Family-Style Meals Checklist 10 minutes
🔐 Meal Menu for Toddlers: Reference & Feedback 10 minutes

4 assignments Total 120 minutes

❓ Family-Style Meals Quiz (with Explanations) 30 minutes
❓ Childhood Obesity Risks Quiz 30 minutes
✍️ Meal Menu Design for Toddlers 30 minutes
❓ Module Quiz: Toddlers 30 minutes

In this module, you will explore the nutritional needs of preschoolers, the significance of educating young children about healthy eating habits, and effective strategies for managing a sick child's dietary requirements.

What's included

2 videos5 readings3 assignments

2 videos Total 7 minutes

🎥 Nutritional Recommendations for Preschoolers 6 minutes
🎥 Health Problems Related to Eating Patterns 1 minute

5 readings Total 50 minutes

📖 Healthy Eating Tips for Preschoolers 10 minutes
🎥 Understanding Pediatric Eating Disorders 10 minutes
📖 Kitchen Activities for Preschoolers 10 minutes
📖 Behavioral Milestones for Preschoolers 10 minutes
🎥 How do Cultural Factors Influence Child Food Security? 10 minutes

3 assignments Total 90 minutes

❓ Food Security & Culture Quiz (with Explanations) 30 minutes
❓ Eating Disorders & Definitions Quiz 30 minutes
❓ Module Quiz: Preschoolers 30 minutes

Congratulations on reaching the end of the course! In the final wrap-up, you'll reflect on your learning and receive guidance on how to continue exploring best practices in child nutrition.

What's included

1 video

Instructor

Ninet Moradi

University of California, Santa Cruz

1 Course 256 learners

Offered by

University of California, Santa Cruz

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