Child Nutrition and Health

Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.

Child Nutrition and Health

Instructor: Ninet Moradi

Included with

Learn more

Ask Coursera

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.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

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 videosTotal 3 minutes

🎥 Course Introduction2 minutes
🎥 Meet your Instructor2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

🎥 Importance of Nutrition in Early Years10 minutes
🎥 What is Malnutrition?10 minutes
📖 Fluid Milk Basics: Ages and Requirements10 minutes
🎥 Food Groups & MyPlate10 minutes
📖 References & Resources10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 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 videosTotal 7 minutes

🎥 Nutrition for Infants & Feeding Relationship2 minutes
🎥 Nutritional Recommendations for Infants5 minutes
🎥 Common Feeding Concerns1 minute

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

📖 Recommended Infant Meal Pattern10 minutes
📖 Healthy Eating Tips for Infants10 minutes
🎥 Importance of Breastfeeding10 minutes
🎥 Benefits of Breastfeeding10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

❓ Breastfeeding: Benefits & Outcomes30 minutes
❓ Module Quiz: Infants30 minutes
❓ Breastfeeding Awareness Quiz (with Explanations)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 videosTotal 4 minutes

🎥 Nutritional Recommendations for Toddlers2 minutes
🎥 Picky Eaters & Nutritional Tips1 minute
🎥 Food-Related Activities1 minute

7 readingsTotal 70 minutes

📖 Tips for Picky Eaters10 minutes
🎥 Childhood Obesity Risks: How It Affects Your Child's Future10 minutes
🎥 Understanding & Addressing Child Obesity (Extended Resources for Deeper Understanding)10 minutes
🎥 Family-Style Meals: CACFP Food Program at CDCLA10 minutes
📖 Implementing Family-Style Meals at Home or Other Settings10 minutes
📖 Family-Style Meals Checklist10 minutes
🔐 Meal Menu for Toddlers: Reference & Feedback10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

❓ Childhood Obesity Risks Quiz30 minutes
✍️ Meal Menu Design for Toddlers30 minutes
❓ Module Quiz: Toddlers30 minutes
❓ Family-Style Meals Quiz (with Explanations)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 videosTotal 7 minutes

🎥 Nutritional Recommendations for Preschoolers6 minutes
🎥 Health Problems Related to Eating Patterns1 minute

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

📖 Healthy Eating Tips for Preschoolers10 minutes
🎥 Understanding Pediatric Eating Disorders10 minutes
📖 Kitchen Activities for Preschoolers10 minutes
📖 Behavioral Milestones for Preschoolers10 minutes
🎥 How do Cultural Factors Influence Child Food Security?10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

❓ Eating Disorders & Definitions Quiz30 minutes
❓ Module Quiz: Preschoolers30 minutes
❓ Food Security & Culture Quiz (with Explanations)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

2 Courses1,109 learners

Offered by

University of California, Santa Cruz

Explore more from Nutrition

Status: Preview
Stanford University
Child Nutrition and Cooking
Course
Status: Free
Johns Hopkins University
Family Spirit Nurture
Course
Status: Preview
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy
Course
Status: Preview
Peking University
Health Care and Promotion for Infants and Toddlers
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.