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
Show info about module content
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
Nutrition and Health for Infants (0-12 months)
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 7 minutes
🎥 Nutrition for Infants & Feeding Relationship•2 minutes
🎥 Nutritional Recommendations for Infants•5 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
Show info about module content
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
Nutrition and Health for Preschoolers (3-5 years old)
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 7 minutes
🎥 Nutritional Recommendations for Preschoolers•6 minutes
🎥 Health Problems Related to Eating Patterns•1 minute
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.
UC Santa Cruz is an outstanding public research university with a deep commitment to undergraduate education. It’s a place that connects people and programs in unexpected ways while providing unparalleled opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experience.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.