It is believed that what you learned and experienced during your childhood years, will reflect in your adult life. A lot of our adult practices are based from what we have gained when we were young. For parents and care givers, there are some things you hope that the child carries throughout their life, and one of which is healthy eating. This isn’t just about possessing the knowledge of the importance of eating healthy foods, but the child should practice this as well. Below are some tips on how child care providers that can promote healthy eating during the early years of life.
First, as a child care provider, you should help in promoting the child’s self esteem towards healthy eating. One way is to allow them in planning, preparing as well as serving nutritional snacks. Example is making smile faces through rice cakes and cheese or perhaps using hotdogs and eggs. In food introduction, feed them in small portions so that the child is able to distinguish the taste of the foods. Introduce new foods weekly especially during the early stages of weaning to help in determining as well if the child has allergies with some meals.
In interacting with them, integrate learning activities such as utilizing seed catalogs as well as real vegetables. Through this, children may be able to determine the nutritional benefits of common vegetables and fruits. They can as well help in cooking vegetable soup plus making particular labels and designs for their own soup containers.
Next is the promotion of creativity under adult supervision. Young children can be allowed to bake their own whole breads or cookies. During the process, you can teach them how to create certain designs for their bread and cookies like shaping the dough in the form of animals, plants, letters and the like
Lastly, instead of placing plastic replicas of foods in the kitchen, it is advisable to place the real ones instead. It is as well advised not to put unhealthy foods or snacks into the dining table or refrigerator for this may entice the children. They should be as well recognized and understand that certain meals should be eaten in moderate sizes to avoid certain future illnesses.
Keep in mind that the parents, caregivers as well as the teachers should work cooperatively for the children to understand and incorporate these in their practices. You should be a good role model for the children through practicing these as well. This will not waste your time or effort for this is an excellent investment for the future of your children.