The television, radio, magazines and newspapers are full of talk about fitness, physical activity, and exercise. But sometimes it gets confusing. What is the difference between “exercise” and “physical activity?” What does it mean...

Sarah is a bright, happy one-year-old who loves exploring things, playing with other kids, and watching insects on the playground. But one day, her caregiver notices that Sarah is not her usual, active self....

Wipe it. Mop it. Sweep it. Vacuum it. Cleanse it. Clean it. Wash it. Disinfect it. Decontaminate it. Sanitize it. Scrub it. Make it spotless. And, then start again! The cleaning process may seem...

Ear infections are the number one reason children visit their physicians due to illness, following the common cold. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ear infections in children account for...

As a childcare provider, you know that feeding young children can be challenging. In your career, you have probably managed a wide variety of mealtime behaviors of young children, ranging from only wanting one...

Every childcare provider at one time or another has cared for a child who seemed different in some way. Behavioral concerns, difficulty transitioning or socializing with other children, and/or delayed speech and language development...

To help Americans make healthy choices about their diets, the U.S. government regularly issues a set of guiding principles, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines, which are meant for all healthy Americans over...

Physical activity is a key ingredient in a healthy lifestyle, and adults often declare that they are going to start being more physically active. Young children, however, are so naturally energetic, that you rarely...

“He never eats.” “All she eats is white food.” “He sure won’t eat that.” “I don’t see how she survives because she doesn’t eat enough.” Do these statements sound familiar? If so, then you...

The toddler years, are often known as the potty training years. Typically, families will begin toilet training while children are between the ages of 18-36 months. Parents and caregivers both want the experience to...