Thinking of ways to get your children interested in nutrition can be hard, however, introducing your child to ideas about nutrition and food can influence many aspects of their lives. Nutrition can be educational and fun for both you and your child at the same time.
Fun Food
Children should be offered nutrient-rich foods at snack and meal times. Children will be more likely to eat nutritious foods if you incorporate fun time into food time. It may sound taboo, but playing with your food is an educational way to explore and like new foods. Try making your child's food come to life by turning a regular sandwich into a fun shape with cookie cutters. Or, try making food into animals shapes with your child; sliced bananas or cucumbers make fun snacks -- or caterpillars.
Kids in the Supermarket
Taking children to the supermarket is an educational experience that helps them learn about nutrition. Children can learn which foods belong to which food group, learn to identify names of unfamiliar foods, and help do the shopping. Letting your child be a produce picker will encourage her to try and like more foods. When you get home, create a meal with your child's help using the food chosen. She will be more likely to eat this special meal; you could even give it a special recipe name.
Kids in the Kitchen
Even at young ages, children can help in the kitchen. At the age of 2, children can rinse fruits and vegetables or place items in the trash can. At the age of 3, children can add ingredients and stir batter. At the age of 4, children can help assemble a sandwich and set the table. At the age of 5, children can use a dull knife and measure liquids.
Children who help in the kitchen also learns early math skills, new vocabulary and the importance of clean-up.
For more kitchen activities, check the Resources section for a link from MyPyramid.gov.
Kids at the Dinner Table
Dinner time can be a time where you further foster nutrition information with your children. Not only does dinner time establish family unity, but it improves nutrition ideals and promotes a healthy weight for kids.
During dinner time, include your child in making food decisions. Your child will feel important and be more likely to eat foods she may not normally eat. Also, allow your child to use internal signals to determine when he is full; she does not have to be a member of the clean-plate club.
Member Comments