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Best Practices
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Florida's HEROs Best Practices
Children spend most of their day in early care and education programs, because of this, child care providers are in a unique role to help the children they serve develop healthy habits. By taking voluntary steps to put into action Florida’s HEROs best practices to create a healthy environment, you can help the kids you serve develop lifelong healthy habits. The Florida’s HEROs best practices come from the second edition of Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education Program, which are a part of the comprehensive Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, Third Edition (CFOC, 3rd Ed.). These are the newest set of national standards describing evidence-based best practices in nutrition, physical activity, and screen time for early care and education programs. Experts in the field of obesity prevention and child health from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education developed these standards. These standards were developed for ALL types of early care and education settings – centers and family child care homes.
ABC's of a Healthy Me Online Training Sessions
Session 1: Overview of Best Practices
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session One:Â Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session one provides an overview of the five best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
https://www.screencast.com/t/dz55UwZ1
Session 2: Overview of Physical Activity Best Practices
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Two:Â Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session two overviews the physical best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in
children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn
1 continuing education unit.
https://www.screencast.com/t/DPGkLh9IuÂ
Session 3:  Overview of Supporting Breastfeeding Best Practices
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Three:Â Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session two overviews the breastfeeding support best practice areas for promoting a healthy
weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
https://www.screencast.com/t/JtomGN2csaÂ
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Session 4: Overview of  Screen Time Best Practices
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Four:Â Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session two overviews the screen time best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in
children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
 https://www.screencast.com/t/UyLiyofg
Session 5:Â Overview of Healthy Beverage Best Practices
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Five:Â Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session five overviews the healthy beverage best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
 https://www.screencast.com/t/Ldd2tbVnT
Session 6: Overview of Healthy Food Best Practices
 ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Six: Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session five overviews the healthy food best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should participate daily in:
- Two to three occasions of active play outdoors, weather permitting.
- Two or more structured or caregiver/teacher/adult-led activities or games that promote movement over the course of the day—indoor or outdoor.
- Continuous opportunities to develop and practice age-appropriate gross motor and movement skills.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should have opportunities for outdoor play:
- Infants (birth–12 months of age) should be taken outside 2 to 3 times per day, as tolerated. There is no recommended duration of infants’ outdoor play.
- Toddlers (12 – 35 months) and preschoolers (3–6 years) should be allowed 60 to 90 total minutes of outdoor play
- Toddlers and preschoolers should engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity:
- Toddlers should be allowed 60 to 90 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running.
- Preschoolers should be allowed 90 to 120 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running
- Infants should have supervised tummy time every day when they are awake, and caregivers/teachers should interact with an awake infant on his/her tummy for short periods (3–5 minutes).
5 American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. 2012. Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education: Selected Standards from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.
Resources
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Two: Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session two overviews the physical best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
Healthy Kids Healthy Future: Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is a nationwide call-to-action that empowers child care and early education providers to make positive health changes in children that could last a lifetime. On their website, you can find trainings and resources focused on how to get kids moving.
Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) Early Childhood: CATCH Early Childhood is designed to nurture a love of physical activity, provide an introduction to classroom-based gardening and nutrition, and encourage healthy eating in children ages 3-5. Little ones are motivated to walk, run, jump, dance and move their whole bodies while playing and having fun. Visit their website for information on trainings, curriculums and materials.
Go NAPSACC: Go NAPSACC works with child care providers to improve the health of young children through practices, policies and environments that instill habits supporting lifelong health and well-being. Visit their website to access flexible modules and resources focused on key topics like healthy eating, physical activity and oral health.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should participate daily in:
- Two to three occasions of active play outdoors, weather permitting.
- Two or more structured or caregiver/teacher/adult-led activities or games that promote movement over the course of the day—indoor or outdoor.
- Continuous opportunities to develop and practice age-appropriate gross motor and movement skills.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should have opportunities for outdoor play:
- Infants (birth–12 months of age) should be taken outside 2 to 3 times per day, as tolerated. There is no recommended duration of infants’ outdoor play.
- Toddlers (12 – 35 months) and preschoolers (3–6 years) should be allowed 60 to 90 total minutes of outdoor play
- Toddlers and preschoolers should engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity:
- Toddlers should be allowed 60 to 90 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running.
- Preschoolers should be allowed 90 to 120 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running
- Infants should have supervised tummy time every day when they are awake, and caregivers/teachers should interact with an awake infant on his/her tummy for short periods (3–5 minutes).
5 American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. 2012. Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education: Selected Standards from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.
Resources
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Two: Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session two overviews the physical best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
Healthy Kids Healthy Future: Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is a nationwide call-to-action that empowers child care and early education providers to make positive health changes in children that could last a lifetime. On their website, you can find trainings and resources focused on how to get kids moving.
Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) Early Childhood: CATCH Early Childhood is designed to nurture a love of physical activity, provide an introduction to classroom-based gardening and nutrition, and encourage healthy eating in children ages 3-5. Little ones are motivated to walk, run, jump, dance and move their whole bodies while playing and having fun. Visit their website for information on trainings, curriculums and materials.
Go NAPSACC: Go NAPSACC works with child care providers to improve the health of young children through practices, policies and environments that instill habits supporting lifelong health and well-being. Visit their website to access flexible modules and resources focused on key topics like healthy eating, physical activity and oral health.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should participate daily in:
- Two to three occasions of active play outdoors, weather permitting.
- Two or more structured or caregiver/teacher/adult-led activities or games that promote movement over the course of the day—indoor or outdoor.
- Continuous opportunities to develop and practice age-appropriate gross motor and movement skills.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should have opportunities for outdoor play:
- Infants (birth–12 months of age) should be taken outside 2 to 3 times per day, as tolerated. There is no recommended duration of infants’ outdoor play.
- Toddlers (12 – 35 months) and preschoolers (3–6 years) should be allowed 60 to 90 total minutes of outdoor play
- Toddlers and preschoolers should engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity:
- Toddlers should be allowed 60 to 90 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running.
- Preschoolers should be allowed 90 to 120 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running
- Infants should have supervised tummy time every day when they are awake, and caregivers/teachers should interact with an awake infant on his/her tummy for short periods (3–5 minutes).
5 American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. 2012. Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education: Selected Standards from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.
Resources
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Two: Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session two overviews the physical best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
Healthy Kids Healthy Future: Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is a nationwide call-to-action that empowers child care and early education providers to make positive health changes in children that could last a lifetime. On their website, you can find trainings and resources focused on how to get kids moving.
Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) Early Childhood: CATCH Early Childhood is designed to nurture a love of physical activity, provide an introduction to classroom-based gardening and nutrition, and encourage healthy eating in children ages 3-5. Little ones are motivated to walk, run, jump, dance and move their whole bodies while playing and having fun. Visit their website for information on trainings, curriculums and materials.
Go NAPSACC: Go NAPSACC works with child care providers to improve the health of young children through practices, policies and environments that instill habits supporting lifelong health and well-being. Visit their website to access flexible modules and resources focused on key topics like healthy eating, physical activity and oral health.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should participate daily in:
- Two to three occasions of active play outdoors, weather permitting.
- Two or more structured or caregiver/teacher/adult-led activities or games that promote movement over the course of the day—indoor or outdoor.
- Continuous opportunities to develop and practice age-appropriate gross motor and movement skills.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should have opportunities for outdoor play:
- Infants (birth–12 months of age) should be taken outside 2 to 3 times per day, as tolerated. There is no recommended duration of infants’ outdoor play.
- Toddlers (12 – 35 months) and preschoolers (3–6 years) should be allowed 60 to 90 total minutes of outdoor play
- Toddlers and preschoolers should engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity:
- Toddlers should be allowed 60 to 90 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running.
- Preschoolers should be allowed 90 to 120 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running
- Infants should have supervised tummy time every day when they are awake, and caregivers/teachers should interact with an awake infant on his/her tummy for short periods (3–5 minutes).
5 American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. 2012. Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education: Selected Standards from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.
Resources
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Two: Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session two overviews the physical best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
Healthy Kids Healthy Future: Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is a nationwide call-to-action that empowers child care and early education providers to make positive health changes in children that could last a lifetime. On their website, you can find trainings and resources focused on how to get kids moving.
Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) Early Childhood: CATCH Early Childhood is designed to nurture a love of physical activity, provide an introduction to classroom-based gardening and nutrition, and encourage healthy eating in children ages 3-5. Little ones are motivated to walk, run, jump, dance and move their whole bodies while playing and having fun. Visit their website for information on trainings, curriculums and materials.
Go NAPSACC: Go NAPSACC works with child care providers to improve the health of young children through practices, policies and environments that instill habits supporting lifelong health and well-being. Visit their website to access flexible modules and resources focused on key topics like healthy eating, physical activity and oral health.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should participate daily in:
- Two to three occasions of active play outdoors, weather permitting.
- Two or more structured or caregiver/teacher/adult-led activities or games that promote movement over the course of the day—indoor or outdoor.
- Continuous opportunities to develop and practice age-appropriate gross motor and movement skills.
- All children, birth to 6 years of age, should have opportunities for outdoor play:
- Infants (birth–12 months of age) should be taken outside 2 to 3 times per day, as tolerated. There is no recommended duration of infants’ outdoor play.
- Toddlers (12 – 35 months) and preschoolers (3–6 years) should be allowed 60 to 90 total minutes of outdoor play
- Toddlers and preschoolers should engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity:
- Toddlers should be allowed 60 to 90 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running.
- Preschoolers should be allowed 90 to 120 minutes per 8-hour day for moderate to vigorous physical activity, including running
- Infants should have supervised tummy time every day when they are awake, and caregivers/teachers should interact with an awake infant on his/her tummy for short periods (3–5 minutes).
5 American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. 2012. Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education: Selected Standards from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.
Resources
ABC’s of a Healthy Me Session Two: Watch session one of our FREE six-part online training, ABC’s of a Healthy Me. Session two overviews the physical best practice areas for promoting a healthy weight in children 0 to 5 years old in the ECE setting. Complete all six sessions to earn 1 continuing education unit.
Healthy Kids Healthy Future: Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is a nationwide call-to-action that empowers child care and early education providers to make positive health changes in children that could last a lifetime. On their website, you can find trainings and resources focused on how to get kids moving.
Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) Early Childhood: CATCH Early Childhood is designed to nurture a love of physical activity, provide an introduction to classroom-based gardening and nutrition, and encourage healthy eating in children ages 3-5. Little ones are motivated to walk, run, jump, dance and move their whole bodies while playing and having fun. Visit their website for information on trainings, curriculums and materials.
Go NAPSACC: Go NAPSACC works with child care providers to improve the health of young children through practices, policies and environments that instill habits supporting lifelong health and well-being. Visit their website to access flexible modules and resources focused on key topics like healthy eating, physical activity and oral health.