Promoting a Culture of Wellness in Preschools

The Culture of Wellness in Preschools (COWP) is a comprehensive and collaborative early childhood obesity program, which aims to promote a “culture of wellness” in preschool settings by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity levels. This is accomplished by bringing the following to preschool sites throughout Colorado: 

• Classroom-based nutrition education

• Preschool physical activity professional development program

• Parent wellness workshop series

• Staff workplace wellness program 

• Strategic planning process to make center environment and policy changes that focus on increasing healthy eating and physical activity levels 

All program components are evidence-based or promising practices. 

From its inception, COWP has reached 15,000 students, parents and teachers, 150 low-income preschools and early childhood education centers, and 11 Colorado counties.