Parental Corner

Young Gemynds International School

Bringing up kids is probably one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but arguably one of the most challenging. Since every child and every parent is unique, there are no standard ways of achieving success. However, there are some tips that parents could bear in mind to make life simpler.

We at Young Gemynds International School have tried to put together a set of tips that could help you develop a parenting style that could go a long way in creating the right foundation for your precious child.

BASIC NUTRITIONAL REQUIRMENTS OF PRE-SCHOOLERS

Toddlers may have difficulty tolerating excessive fiber in their diet. Suitable dietary fiber includes whole wheat breakfast cereals and whole meal bread. Avoid food with a large content of seeds, nuts and grains. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Eating fresh fruits are better than in the form of juice.

Honey and sugar should only be included in a toddler’s diet in small amounts. Replace biscuits, cakes, chocolate and other sweets with nutritious snacks such as whole meal bread and fruits cut into interesting shapes. As far as possible, avoid food with excessive refined or processed food. Go easy on maida, processed cheese, etc.

Nutrition experts believe that the calories in drinks are not recognized by the body in the same way like calories from solid food .This makes it easy to over-drink calories. So the precaution is…

  • ● Dilute full strength juice if your preschooler drinks juice more than once a day so as to limit its excessive intake.
  • ● Make sure to serve 100% fruit juice. No added sugar, syrup or any other synthetic ingredients should be included.
  • ● Many tetra pack juice & pouches contain more than 6 ounces of juice. Try serving small portion from a family size bottle of juice.
  • ● When dining in a restaurant, be sure to refrain from aerated or fizzy drinks. These give no nutritional value at all and your child may only suffer from negative effects.
CHOSING THE RIGHT CEREALS FOR THE PRESCHOOLERS

Fiber requirements

  • ● Look for whole-grain ingredients. (Whole wheat flour, whole oat, whole oat flour, brown rice).
  • ● Look for sources of sugar. Look out for multiple sources of sugar in the list. Together they might become the primary ingredient. (Sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, juice concentrate, cane sugar, beet sugar, honey, rice syrup).
  • ● A preschooler needs 19-25 grams fiber per day. Since cereal grains are important source of fiber, choose whole grain cereals as they have more fiber. Do try to mix millets like bajra, jowar, etc in the wheat flour for making rotis.
TIPS FOR THE HEALTHY EATING
  • ● Let your pre-schooler eat what you eat.
  • ● Healthy eating on-the-go is possible. Offer a variety of foods every day.
  • ● Encourage healthy eating for everyone in the family.
  • ● Let your child decide if they are full or hungry.
  • ● Offer healthy snacks between meals.
  • ● Encourage children to help prepare meals.
  • ● Encourage water rather than sweet drinks.
  • ● Enjoy family mealtime and activities together.
  • ● Plan meals and snacks and reduce mindless eating. (No eating in front of TV).
  • ● Be flexible. Some children in this age group are still fussy so offer a wide variety of foods and regular meals and snacks. Thus, allow the child to eat according to his/her appetite without force or arguments.
  • ● Be the change you are trying to create. Don’t be a habitual offender of the very rules you are trying to enforce on your child.