Welcome to the ELEVENTH ISSUE of Research Briefs in Early Childhood! This newsletter brings you easy-to-read summaries linked to recent news and research focusing on early childhood education and development as part of the Nevada Statewide Comprehensive B-5 Needs Assessment process. In each issue, these monthly newsletters feature topics that inform early childhood system considerations, share Nevada and National News, and more. This newsletter was created with the help of PubTrawlr, which used generative artificial intelligence, such as large language models and other machine learning systems trained on image datasets. |
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| Sleep, Food Habits, and Rising Childhood ObesityAccording to the CDC, one in five children in the U.S. have obesity. The national obesity rates among 2-5-year-olds is 12.7%, 6-11-year-olds is 20.7%, and 12-19-year-olds is 22.2%. Obesity in very young children is a growing concern, with recent data showing that rates among U.S. children aged 2–5 years are at historic highs. Likewise, in Nevada, the most recent Kindergarten Health Survey (2023-2024) reports a childhood obesity rate of 22.0% for 5-year-olds. Sleep may play a major role. Research shows that preschoolers who get less or poorer quality sleep are more likely to overeat even when not hungry, which raises their risk of obesity. At the same time, healthy eating habits remain uneven. A study finds that only about two-thirds of U.S. children aged 1–5 eat fruit daily, and just half eat vegetables daily. They were more likely to eat fruits and vegetables every day when they had regular family meals, while income and food assistance program participation were not strongly linked to these habits. |
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| | Early Habits Shape Growth and Brain HealthChildhood obesity can affect a child’s physical health and brain development, influencing thinking, learning, and emotional growth. Starting healthy habits early—even before birth—can help protect both body and brain, especially by focusing on diet, exercise, and sleep. Factors like a mother’s weight, too much screen time, and poor sleep can increase the risk of obesity, which in turn may impact cognitive and emotional development, so early support is important. Addressing obesity early can help children develop better attention, memory, and emotional regulation. Simple guidance for parents, like “parents provide, kids decide,” can encourage healthier habits that support healthy development. |
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| OBESITY PREVENTION IN ECE AND CARE SETTTINGS |
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| ECE Programs Help Prevent Early Life ObesityEarly childhood education (ECE) programs offer an important opportunity to prevent obesity because kids eat many of their meals there and develop lasting food habits early. The WISE program teaches healthy eating through a mascot, teacher role-modeling, positive feeding practices, and hands-on fruit and vegetable activities. Centers that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) face fewer barriers to serving healthy foods, like cost or picky eating. Family child care homes in CACFP also found it easier to serve vegetables, though time and taste preferences still posed challenges. Another study showed that Head Start programs with parent-centered obesity prevention activities strengthened family involvement in healthy eating. A farm-to-school gardening and nutrition program in Native American communities showed that hands-on, culturally relevant lessons can improve food choices. Additionally, research on meal and menu quality in ECE settings showed that training and resources for food service staff can improve the nutritional quality of meals served. Together, these studies show that structured programs, federal support, and family engagement can all work to prevent obesity in young children. |
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| | Healthy Policies Help Children Eat BetterPolicies to prevent obesity work best when they set clear nutrition and activity standards and also give schools and childcare programs the support they need to follow them. A review of policy, systems and environment approaches in early childhood education over two decades shows they can lower obesity risks and reduce health gaps among children. Policies in childcare programs that promote healthy food, more play, and less screen time are most successful when teachers and staff get training and resources to make changes stick. Studies also show that adding healthier food policies in preschools does not cause more plate waste, so these policies can improve diets without negative side effects. And in California, a law requiring only healthy drinks in childcare led to much better compliance over four years, proving that strong state policies can effectively improve the beverages served to young kids. Furthermore, data shows the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 improved school nutrition standards and significantly reduced the risk of obesity for children in poverty, although it did not influence child obesity trends overall. |
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| Childrens’ Meals Often Miss Nutrition GuidelinesResearch on U.S. nutrition programs shows that many children’s meals fall short of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). A study of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) found that while meals served in childcare centers met program standards, children often ate less than recommended, especially for dairy and vegetables. Updates to CACFP improved the quality of foods served, though alignment with DGA guidelines was not fully assessed. Data shows most 2- and 3-year-old children do not meet DGA recommendations for vegetables, whole grains, and oils, and nearly all consume too many calories from solid fats and added sugars, highlighting the need for caregiver education and healthy feeding practices. A historical review emphasizes that aligning USDA child meal programs with current nutrition science is key to supporting adequate nutrition. |
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| | Communicating Needs with Your Child’s TeacherTransitions are difficult for children and families and can be particularly difficult if your child has complex medical or developmental needs. To help make communication easier between families and their student's new teacher we have developed an easy-to-use tool, the Student Success Plan (SSP), to help families provide teachers with the critical information that they need to welcome all children into the classroom. The SSP is not a replacement for the Individual Education Plan (IEP), but is intended to complement the IEP and provide necessary information to teachers in lead up to the first day of school or any during any time of transition. SSPs are fillable forms that are available in English and Spanish that can be used as presented or serve as a starting place to spark ideas of how families can communicate who their child is and what they will need to succeed.
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| NEVADA EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL |
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| The Nevada ECAC is currently going through the strategic planning process and we can’t wait to share with you the new plans and other exciting “new” items! All ECAC meetings are Open to the Public, parents, educators, Early Childhood Systems professionals, community members, family members are all welcome to join us and discover what is happening within Early Childhood. Subcommittee Information: The 2025 ECAC Meeting Schedule, subcommittee membership online application and subcommittee meeting materials are online, check out the work we are doing and goals we are hitting, click here. General ECAC Information: The 2025 General ECAC Meeting Schedule, rosters, and meeting materials can be found here. Apply to become an official General ECAC appointed member or to review the ECAC Membership Application Process, click here. Questions? Contact Us: Sabrina Jones, ECAC Systems Specialist Email: sabrina.jones@doe.nv.gov
Brandi Hearst, ECAC Administrative Coordinator
Email: brandi.hearst@doe.nv.gov
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| |  National Lead Poisoning Prevention WeekLead exposure may not be top of mind for many families, but it is still a real concern today. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) (October 19–25, 2025) is our chance to shine a spotlight on the issue, raise awareness about risks, and share simple steps that can help keep children safe.The Nevada Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (NvCLPPP), housed in NICRP at UNLV School of Public Health, works to prevent lead exposure through education, testing, and community partnerships. This year, they created a free NLPPW Toolkit with ready-to-post graphics, captions, and hashtags to make it easy for families, providers, and partners to spread the word. As part of the early festivities, NvCLPPP will also be offering free lead screening of household items at Step Up for Kids on Saturday, October 11 from 9am–12pm at the Pearson Community Center in Las Vegas. Download the toolkit and find more resources on the NvCLPPP website. Together, we can protect children and make Nevada a healthier, safer place for every family. |
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| National Down Syndrome Awareness MonthOctober is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to celebrate people with Down syndrome and encourage understanding and respect. Groups like the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) share resources, events, and campaigns to raise awareness and support the community all year long. Visit https://ndss.org/down-syndrome-awareness-month for Down syndrome resources. You can find local resources at: |
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| Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness MonthOctober is Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the 3,500 infants who die each year in the U.S. from sleep-related causes. These deaths disproportionately affect Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and low-income families. You can get a SIDS Awareness Month Outreach Toolkit and other resources on the Safe to Sleep website. You can also find guidelines to prevent infant suffocation and SIDS at the website for the Southern Nevada Health District. |
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| National Learning & Development MonthOctober is National Learning & Development Month, a time to reflect on the importance of supporting learning, especially for children. Education helps young minds grow, develop new skills, and build a brighter future. It’s a time to think about how we can encourage young minds to keep exploring, asking questions, and discovering the world around them. For more information, visit this website. |
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