Greetings

Hello everyone, welcome to our June newsletter! As always, we provide an overview of what is happening within our childcare community. This month, we will focus on the link between diet and developmental growth for young children.

A healthy life begins at childhood, from the very first spoonful of food a child eats. The presence of essential nutrients in a child’s food such as complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals is important for developing cognitive abilities, building strong bones, and propping up a resilient and robust immune system. 

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in providing young children with the proper nutrition in the form of a balanced diet that fuels children’s growth and development during their formative years.

Early Childhood Nutrition: The Building Blocks for Growth

It’s not just a matter of what children eat that’s important to consider but more importantly, what’s in it. Here are 8 building blocks for growth that should be present in every child’s diet.

1. Protein

Important for building the muscle structure of our body, protein plays a big role not only in overall physical development but also in healthy brain growth and long-term memory development.

2. Iron

This aids in stronger cognitive function and prevents anaemia which can lead to learning difficulties. Good sources of iron include red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, beans, and iron-fortified cereals.

3. Zinc

An important mineral that plays a role in brain development and cognitive abilities, especially during fast-paced toddler years. Foods rich in zinc include meat, shellfish, dairy products, nuts and seeds.

4. Omega-3 fatty acids

These fatty acids are crucial for brain development and function. They help improve cognitive performance and emotional health. Sources of omega-3s include fatty fish (such as salmon and sardines), flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.

5. Choline

This supports brain development and helps with memory and learning. It can be found in eggs, meat, fish, dairy products, and some vegetables like broccoli and Brussel sprouts.

6. Folate

Also known as vitamin B9, it is essential for cell division and growth. It plays a significant role in brain function and mental health. Folate-rich foods include green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and beans.

7. Iodine

It is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones that aid and regulate healthy development, growth, and metabolism. It is also critical for brain development. It can be found in dairy products, seafood, and iodized salt.

8. Vitamins A, B6, B12, and D

• Vitamin A is important for vision, immune function, and skin health. It is found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach to name a few.

• Vitamin B6 helps the body convert food into energy. Good sources of this vitamin include poultry, fish, potatoes, and bananas.

• Vitamin B12 is crucial for nerve function and the production of red blood cells. It is only found in meat and dairy products. Those who follow a strict vegetarian diet will need to take it as a supplement.

• Vitamin D supports bone health by aiding in calcium absorption. It can be gained from sunlight exposure, fatty fish, and fortified food products.

Practical Tips for Childcare Providers

As childcare providers, you play a pivotal role in ensuring children in your care receive adequate nutrition. Here are some easy ways you can do to include these essential nutrients into children’s diets:

1. Make healthy foods appealing.

Presentation makes a big difference. From using colourful fruits and vegetables to cutting and designing it in a certain way helps children engage with their food more willingly and try it.

2. Involve children in meal preparation.

Involving children in preparing their food can increase their interest in the different ingredients and encourage them to try new things. Simple tasks such as washing vegetables, stirring ingredients, mixing them or even cutting them in fun shapes can entice children to try the foods themselves.

3. Offer a variety of foods.

Exposing children to a wide range of foods helps them develop a diverse palate. Introduce various fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins to help them overcome their anxiety around new and unknown food items.

4. Monitor and serve adequate portion sizes.

Young children have small stomachs so it’s important to portion sizes to avoid overeating. Instead, encourage them to have multiple snacks throughout the day.

5. Create a positive eating environment.

Help children develop a healthy relationship with food and mealtimes by making it a pleasant and stress-free experience. Let children eat at their own pace and listen to their hunger cues. Better yet, eat with them if you can to model proper and healthy eating habits.

Common Challenges for Childcare Providers 

Childcare providers deal with many children’s varying needs, limitations and dietary preferences. Here are some ways on how to tackle them smoothly.

Picky Eaters

Offer a variety of healthy options and avoid pushing children to eat. Be patient and continue to introduce new foods in a positive way. Letting them play with their food gives them a chance to explore the food, get used to its appearance, texture, and eventually taste.

Food Allergies 

Be aware of any food allergies or intolerances and plan meals accordingly. Communicate with parents to ensure you have updated information about each child’s dietary needs and limitations. For allergy emergencies, make sure your medical kit is properly equipped with basic anti-allergy medication.

Limited Budgets

Healthy eating doesn’t need to be expensive. Planning meals using in-season ingredients helps lower the cost down. Working with local suppliers can also help you ensure in getting quality ingredients at a reasonable price.

The Long-term Benefits of Early Nutrition

Investing in early childhood nutrition pays off in the long run. Children who receive the right nutrients during their formative years are more likely to:

• Perform better academically

• Have a strong immune system

• Develop healthy eating habits that last their lifetime

• Experience fewer chronic health issues

By prioritising nutrition, childcare providers can make a significant impact on the lifelong health and well-being of the children in their care.

The Takeaway

Ensuring that children receive the essential nutrients they need for growth and development is a shared responsibility among parents, caregivers, and childcare providers. By focusing on a balanced diet rich in key nutrients, we can help children build a strong foundation for a healthy future. 

0-12 month development

Read, sing, dance and funny faces: expert tips on how you can help your baby’s development through play

Author: Alessandra Prioreschi

For babies, playtime is their learning time. And parents can help their development faster by engaging with them through different activities such as reading, singing, dancing and making funny faces. While digital devices have become substitute nannies, experts recommend more tummy time than TV time.

Find more expert tips on how you can help your baby’s development here.

1-2 year development

When can my baby drink cow’s milk? It’s sooner than you think

Authors: Karleen Gribble, Naomi Hull, and Nina Jane Chad 

With the proliferation of ultra processed milk for infants and toddlers out there, more and more parents are resorting to natural organic milk substitutes available and the most popular is cow’s milk. However, there has been a recent change in WHO guidelines that states babies aged six months and above can be given cow’s milk which is earlier than the Australian Dietary guidelines that suggest cow’s milk should not be given to a baby under 12 months of age.    

Since the Australian Dietary Guidelines is currently under review, find out more information about  when your baby can drink cow’s milk here.

2-3 year development

‘Lazy’, ‘messy’, ‘smart’: how labels affect a child’s personality development

Authors: Montserrat Magro Gutiérrez and Paula Contesse Carvacho

From an early age, a child’s perception of themselves rely heavily on what authority figures around them tell them. This is why labels can easily affect their behaviours and personality, and shape their self-esteem and self-perception. 

The impact of words parents and caregivers have on children is immense, thus putting in praise and positive reinforcement at the right time about their actions can help children feel confident and self-assured without it being linked to who they are.

Learn more about the impact of words and labels to a young child’s mind and development here.

3-4 year development

Researchers find a little childhood independence can reduce kids’ anxiety

Author: Kristen Fischer

A child can easily be overwhelmed by a lot of new information. Experts created a campaign to help anxious children by letting them try something new they wanted to try without having to ask for permission from their parents or have their parents with them as they tried the new activity or task. 

Childhood independence, it seems, is a key to helping children learn that their anxiety is something they can overcome on their own by developing persistence, grit, problem-solving and creativity.

Learn more about this childhood independence experiment and technique here.

4-5 year development

Why parents shouldn’t always be ‘in sync’ with their children

Author: Pascal Vrticka

As engaged parenting becomes a buzzword for most parents, researchers are finding out that parents need not be in sync with their children 24/7. While parents want the best for their children, being ‘always on’ can lead to parental burnout. Instead, researchers reiterate that being a ‘good enough’ parent will yield a better parenting experience and help their children more than being omni-present.

Find out more about why parents shouldn’t always be in sync with their children here.

How To Make Butter Slime Without Clay

Coming in a bright and radiant yellow, this butter slime project will have kids highly engaged in this sensory experiment. Children will have an absolute fun time mixing, measuring and kneading, developing their fine motor skills.

See the recipe for butter slime here.

Germinating Seeds in a Bag: Science Experiment for Kids

This STEM experiment will be a multi-day experiment that will enhance children’s curiosity and observation skills. Using various seeds, paper towel, resealable bag and the power of water and sunlight, grow sprouts from a seed and record observations. 

Find teaching points for this experiment here.

Egg In Vinegar Experiment

This STEM experiment will touch on osmosis, and physical transformations to become a rubbery, bouncy egg that’ll stoke any child’s curiosity. This multi-day experiment will have children mix, measure, observe, record and experience a scientific experiment complete with hypotheses and results. 

See the steps on how to make rubber eggs here.

How To Make a DIY Stethoscope for Kids

Inspire kids’ curiosity about their heart and how it helps them live by creating a DIY stethoscope. Using basic materials like  funnels, paper towel tube, tape and stickers for design, children can make their own DIY stethoscope that lets them hear their own heartbeat.

Find the steps on how to create a DIY stethoscope here.