Food and Nutrition

The growth and development of an infant is directly related to nutrition. An infant grows faster during the first year than at any other time of their life. This growth rate is due to the growth patterns of all the internal organs. The only form of food an infant can receive is breast milk or formula that provides necessary nutrients. Good nutrition allows a child to grow, learn and play. The birth weight of a healthy baby will double in the first four months of life, and nutritional needs will change as a child grows and develops (Robertson, 2007).

The transition from infant to toddler is when the child begins to show independence and the need for autonomy.  During this period the child wants and needs to be independent, and wants to control their eating. The challenge during this period is to maintain good nutrition while helping the child to establish good food habits with their independence intact. As a child develops a sense of autonomy, it can also lead to frustration and a contest of wills; their will versus the adults will.

Preschool children are ready to learn and are willing to change and try new things when they are together, so they are probably more likely to eat more servings of the basic food groups (Levy&Cooper, 1999). Messages children receive at home from their parents and television have a great deal of influence on their attitude about food. Children in the preschool age are easily influenced by television advertising of food products that are poor nutritional choices. Breakfast is a very important meal for children and has been proven to improve cognitive skills.

The needs of school-aged children, ages five to eleven years, vary greatly. Growth is slower during this period and is not observable as the earlier infant-toddler spurt. The vigorous activity level that most school-aged children experience makes the need for adequate nutrition important. Good nutrition will help the school-aged child maintain resistance to infection and will help ensure adequate stores for the building materials and nutrition needed for the adolescent growth spurt.

Adults can help a child to develop good eating habits by making mealtime significant for the child. When adults model that food can be enjoyable, it helps children to develop a positive attitude about mealtime. The teacher should give the child time, attention, and awareness when meals are served. Sitting and talking with children while they are eating makes this time special. The teacher should reinforce desirable behavior by paying attention and recognizing, and acknowledging good behavior. Another way teachers can teachers can help children develop healthy eating habits by managing the eating environment. Setting limits makes eating more important and worthwhile. When feeding a child a snack or a meal, the teacher must make sure that eating is the only activity going on.

 Recipes

Children should have the opportunity to learn about food, nutrition, and food preparation and how they are linked to health. Letting preschoolers help prepare foods and experiment with new foods helps children develop skills that will widen their food horizons. One healthy recipe that children can help prepare with their family is the Graham Cracker Smacker. The ingredients are:        

Graham Crackers

Peanut Butter

Fruit Slices

Spread a graham cracker square with thin layer of peanut butter.  On top of  the peanut butter, place slices of banana, peach, pear or other soft fruit. Top with another graham cracker square spread with peanut butter. The peanut Butter should be facing inside. This snack can be served with cranberry juice.

Tubby Toast

Whole wheat bread

Cream cheese

Sliced Fresh Fruit

Toast bread (whole wheat or other whole grain variety). Spread low-fat whipped cream cheese on the bread and top it with sliced fresh fruit (choice of bananas, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, etc.) Arrange the fruit on the toast in shapes, designs or faces and talk about shapes or textures of the fruit. Or use canned fruit available in animal shapes. Serve /2 slice toasted bread with toppings and 1/2 cup 100% berry Juice.

Peach Pops is a great snack for the summer. The ingredients include:

1 cup orange juice,

4 ripe peaches (about 4 cups chopped) and

1 tsp. sugar

Peel, pit and chop peaches. Then blend all ingredients in blender until pureed. Next, pour 1/2 cup puree into a small paper cup with plastic spoon inserted in center. Finally freeze until firm. This recipe makes about 8 servings.

References

Levy&Cooper. (1999).

Physical Activities and Healthy Snacks for Young Children. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/hsmrs/Iowa/Physical_Activities_%20Healthy_Snacks.pdf

Robertson, C. (2007). Safety, Nutirtion & Health in Early Education (3rd ed.). Delmar Cengage Learning.

University of Illinois Extension: Food for Thought: Ideas for Parents of Preschoolers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://urbanext.illinois.edu/foodforthought/

What's Cookin' II. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.education.ne.gov/NS/forms/cacfpforms/whatscookin/Whats%20Cookin%20II%20Section%20V%20Snacks.pdf