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13.1: Introduction

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    A child's well-being is the foundation for all aspects of development and learning. In early childhood settings, educators play a vital role in promoting environments that support children's health, ensure their safety, and foster lifelong habits of good nutrition. This chapter explores the essential components of promoting healthy, safe, and nutrition education for young children.

    One way to foster healthy lifestyles is to encourage the development of health-promoting habits during early childhood. Preschool education about health can begin a lifelong process of learning about oneself, relationships to others, and the world. Preschool children’s experiences with their health and ways to improve it at home and in the early childhood setting enhance their desire and ability to make healthy decisions throughout their lives.

    A child is using a pretend stethoscope on a doll.
    Figure 14.1: Positive experiences relating to dental health are valuable. Figure 14.1 by the California Department of Education is used with permission.

    The preschool health foundations describe the health knowledge, attitudes, habits, and behaviors that set the groundwork for all preschool children to develop into healthy adults. They explain what children should know about health, and what health habits and practices should be part of their daily routines when provided with high-quality health education in preschool. These skills and behaviors lead young children to health and healthy lifestyle choices. [2]

    This page titled 13.1: Introduction was last modified on Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:00:09 GMT and is shared under a mixed license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by .