Starting Children Off Right with Wellness
Creating and supporting healthy eating and physical activity habits is a shared responsibility between families and early learning programs. At the Texas A&M Children’s Centers, we help young children develop lifelong healthy behaviors by teaching them to make informed choices related to food, beverages, and movement. These daily experiences establish a strong foundation for long-term health and overall well-being.
The Children’s Centers rotate two six-week, GOLD Standard, award-winning seasonal menus that feature a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and locally sourced foods when available. Added sugars are limited, and water is offered throughout the day. Children participate in at least 90 minutes of active play daily, minimizing sedentary time while encouraging meaningful movement and physical development. In addition, children are provided a designated rest period to allow both their minds and bodies time to recharge.
Texas A&M Children’s Centers
Executive Director
Wellness also includes mental and emotional health. Strong, nurturing relationships form the foundation of healthy development and are supported through warm, responsive teaching practices, safe learning environments, and consistent daily routines. Children are encouraged to identify and express their feelings in healthy ways while building resilience, self-regulation, and social skills. Play, an essential component of early childhood education, further supports emotional development, creativity, and peer relationships.
At Becky Gates Children’s Center, children benefit from daily active play on the Nature Explore Certified playground, which promotes physical movement while also supporting social-emotional growth and nature-based learning experiences. Charlotte Sharp Children’s Center is nearing completion of the design phase for its new nature-based playground. Once completed, both centers will feature nationally recognized outdoor learning environments that support wellness through movement, exploration, and connection to nature.
To learn more about how social and emotional well-being is supported in our classrooms, we invite you to explore how Charlotte Sharp teachers intentionally promote skills that help children become confident, capable learners—both now and in the future.
Together, these wellness foundations are critical for lifelong physical and mental health. Early experiences influence brain development, future learning, social relationships, and a child’s overall potential.
In the spirit of promoting healthy habits, the Children’s Centers proudly participate each year in Walk Across Texas, a statewide initiative designed to encourage physical activity among young Texans. This eight-week program includes engaging weekly themes and fun movement challenges that children complete together. It is always a joy to watch our classrooms “walk across Texas” as children build healthy habits through movement, teamwork, and play.