Breakfast is beneficial for everyone, and especially for young children who are growing and developing. Everyone’s taste buds are a little bit different, so it may take some trial and error to figure out what works for your preschooler. Since food preferences are likely to evolve over time, your little one might want to shake up their breakfast routine on occasion. Check out these four tips for offering healthy breakfasts that will make everyone cheer!
1. Involve your child in breakfast choice and prep.
Preschoolers love choices, and they like to exercise agency in their lives—just like adults. You can empower your child to choose a healthy breakfast by offering up several options for them to choose from. Would they prefer a savory egg dish, a fruit-filled muffin, a drinkable yogurt, or a smoothie? Having a say in what they eat could make your child more likely to finish it, especially if they’re involved in the preparation.
2. Make breakfast a special occasion for kids.
Special breakfast items like pancakes, waffles, and muffins can all be healthy options with a few clever substitutions. Almond flour, applesauce, zucchini, and carrots can all transform breakfast treats into healthy options. If making pancakes sounds like a time-consuming task, remember that you can easily reheat a breakfast you’ve made the night before. Try out some meal-based multitasking by making a few pancakes for the next day while you’re preparing dinner. Pancakes are also a great option for packing in fruit like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and bananas. If your child is sensitive to textures, opt for a fruit puree to make your pancakes red, blue, or purple!
3. Introduce kids to overnight oats.
Kids will be fascinated by the transformation that turns dry oat flakes into a creamy, delicious breakfast treat. Plus, each family member can customize their own flavor profile. The real reason we love overnight oats: they can be prepped the evening before! While you’re preparing dinner, lay out a buffet of fruits, cinnamon, honey, and peanut butter. Kids can customize their oats with any flavors they like. Then, adults can add the right amount of cow’s milk, plant milk, or yogurt, and pop them in the fridge for an easy start the next morning.
4. Use breakfasts as a time to check in with your preschooler.
While early morning can be a very busy time, try to make breakfast an opportunity to check in with your family members. This daily ritual can be simple and short, like a special song you sing, or a quick moment to share something each member is thankful for. It’s an opportune time to affirm your connection with each child and reassure them that you’ll see them in just a few hours.
The Gardner School Helps Children Grow Strong Bodies and Strong Minds
The Gardner School uses a variety of learning tools to help children understand the importance of healthy eating during the school day. In the Kids Café, our little ones develop healthy eating habits in a space that is made just for them. We also offer cooking enrichment classes to help our students learn about health and nutrition. With a healthy mix of structured enrichment and free play, we give children the guidance they need to start learning as soon as they’re ready.
To learn more about how we help kids grow strong bodies and minds, contact us today, or check out our virtual tours on our website for The Gardner School nearest you. You’ll quickly see why parents choose The Gardner School!