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When choosing the right daycare for your child, there’s more to think about than just the nurturing and learning environment. That’s because a large part of their development is based on getting the right nutrition. In fact, the first five years are vital in creating healthy eating habits to help their growth and brain development. Nutrition also aids their overall well-being, self-confidence and ability to concentrate. We look at how children thrive when they meet their nutritional requirements.
When looking for the right childcare centre for your child, it is easy to overlook the aspect of nutrition. However, nutrition in childcare centres can often be hit and miss. That’s why one must ask about their focus on nutrition and meal plans before choosing a daycare provider.
Young Academics have partnered with The Lifestyle Dietitian to help children under our care reach their full potential by providing good nutrition, positive mealtime experiences and empowering and educating their families on how to build happy, healthy eaters.
The way a child’s brain develops in the first years of life defines how it will work for the rest of its life. Nerves grow and connect to affect sensory systems, learning, memory, attention, processing speed, the ability to control mood, and the ability to multi-task or plan. In fact, various studies have shown that poor nutrition in early life can lower IQ scores and lead to learning difficulties. The brain is the most complex organ of the human body, and there is a direct relationship between the foods a child eats and the brain’s functioning. Proper, healthy nutrition greatly impacts developing the brain structure that performs functions such as thinking, organising, planning and concentrating.
Important nutrients for children include:
- Calcium strengthens bones. Found in milk, yoghurt and seeds.
- Protein builds muscles. Found in eggs, lean meats and cheese.
- Carbohydrates provide energy. Found in whole-grain bread, potatoes and apples.
- Iron supports growth and development. Found in legumes, lamb, spinach and quinoa.
- Essential fats help the body absorb other vitamins. Found in fish, avocados and nuts.
We already know that if children don’t get the right nutrition, they can suffer from fatigue and are more likely to get sick. However, did you know you can also help your children be happier through healthy eating? That’s because nutrition has a direct effect on how children feel. Research shows that the brain networks associated with controlling feeding are linked closely to emotion. Serotonin (which helps regulate sleep, appetite and moods) is mostly produced in the gut, meaning the digestive system also guides emotions. With 70-80% of the body’s immune cells located in the digestive system, a healthy gut biome plays a significant role in a strong immune system.
The fact is, a child’s body grows at an incredible rate, so it needs the right healthy, nutrient-rich foods and drinks that help it grow. A child’s ability to socialise with others can also be affected by their eating foods.
For example, with a good breakfast, children can;
- Concentrate better during learning activities
- Stay alert and active
- Maintain better energy levels and sleeping patterns
At Young Academics, we understand that our early learning environments play a pivotal role in exposing children to a variety of nourishing foods and promoting healthy eating habits for life. Our holistic Nutrition Program allows children to take part in preparing and serving their meals and learn about the important connection between hygiene, physical activity, and healthy eating.
Each of our centres features an inclusive menu of five delicious and nutritious daily meals created by an expert dietitian and founder of The Lifestyle Dietitian Michelle Theodosi and prepared by our in-house cooks, fresh each day. All meals present an opportunity for our children to learn about the importance of a well-balanced diet, guiding them towards lifelong healthy eating habits.
We want to help children in our care reach their full potential through good nutrition, positive mealtime experiences and educating their families on how to encourage happy, healthy eaters.
That’s why we’ve made health and nutrition our top priority so that we can focus on each child’s holistic growth and development. If you’d like to learn more about our focus on nutrition and the daily meals at our centres, call Young Academics on 1300 668 993 to book a tour.
