Good nutrition and eating habits are important to children in each age group because poor nutrition leads to lower academic achievement. Children who suffer from poor nutrition during the brain’s most formative years score much lower on tests of vocabulary, reading comprehension, arithmetic and general knowledge. Iron deficiency anemia leads to shortened attention span, irritability, fatigue and difficulty with concentration. (Action For Healthy Kids, 2003). Children need good nutrition because their bodies are growing and developing. Starting your kids out right with healthy foods that appeal to them develops good eating habits that carry into adulthood. (Heber, 2008). Proper nutrition is essential during childhood so that a child grows to obtain a healthy height and weight and can concentrate in school without having any nutritional handicaps. During the ages from 0-5 years, the human body undergoes its most rapid growth spurt. Children must have enough protein and calcium to encourage strong bones as they go from crawling to walking to running. A child’s performance is also related to the child’s eating habits. Good nutrition leads to increased focus and concentration at school, which results in better learning. (Davis, 2011).
Adults can actively help children develop healthy eating habits by explaining what healthy, nutritious foods are and how they work so children will know the importance of them. Give children good food choices. Send home handouts to explain the importance of food for learning and growth.(Robertson,2010.). Modeling good eating habits when you are in the company of the children is also a good learning tool. Children mimic what they see and if you, the adult practice good eating habits, they will too.
Nutritious Recipes
Strawberry Yogurt Crepes
Fresh strawberries
Vanilla Yogurt
Prepackaged Crepes
Plastic Knife
Rinse strawberries, remove strawberries caps, slice strawberries. Lay crepe on plate starting at one corner and ending at opposite corner, spoon yogurt onto crepe. Sprinkle strawberries, wrap crepe closed by folding outside corners. This recipe contains vitamin C and protein.
Warm Apple Sandwiches
Whole wheat pizza crust dough
¼ of an apple per sandwich
Cinnamon and sugar mixture
Prepare whole wheat pizza crust, preheat oven to 425 degrees, tear off a small piece of crust and roll it into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a thin circle. Prepare chopped apple pieces on ½ of dough circle. Sprinkle cinnamon/sugar mixture over apples. Fold the non apple side of the crust and press edges together and crimp pie crust edge. Bake in oven on greased baking sheet 10-13 minutes. Remove and cool for 10 minutes. This recipe contains fruit and whole wheat, plus different shapes and sizes you can teach at the same time.
Orange Dream Milk
½ regular orange
¼ cup milk
1 tsp honey or sugar
¼ tsp vanilla
Peel orange and separate. Place segments on plate. Place in freezer. Place frozen orange segments and other ingredients in blender and pulse until foamy. Pour into glass and enjoy.
It is important to cook with a child before he/she gets cranky or sleepy. It will be a much more enjoyable occasion. Give the child some recipes to look at the pictures and choose which ones he/she wants to cook. Allow little boys as well as girls to join in the cooking, it is important that they know how to cook too, so that as adults they will be self sufficient in the kitchen too.
References
Action For Healthy Kids. (2003). Fact sheet: nutrition, physical activity and achievement. Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://www.sboh.wa.gov/Meetings/2003/10-15/documents/pmTab08-Factsheet.pdf.Davis.
Davis, Sarah. (May 5, 2011). What is the importance of good nutrition for kids? Livestrong.com. Austin, TX. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/45375-importance-good-nutrition-kids/.
Heber, David. (2008). Dr Heber answers your questions on essential nutrition for children. Herbalife. New York, NY. Retrieved from http://www.edietstar.com/articlestips/nutritionforchildren.html.
PreschoolRock.com. (2011). Nutritious recipes for preschoolers. Napa, CA. Retrieved from http://nutrition.preschoolrock.com/index.php/recipes_for_preschoolers/.
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