Introducing Fruits and Vegetables to Small Children in Day Care Centres

Fruits and vegetables are a very significant part of a child’s diet. They contain essential nutrients that are important for a child’s development and health. And since small children learn by example, it is vital that fruits and vegetables are introduced at their day care centre.

There are numerous ways to introduce fruits and vegetables to small children that are fun and exciting. Here are just a few:

Food Planning and Preparation

Get the children involved. When a child is involved in the preparation and cooking of fruits or vegetables, they will actually look forward to eating. Ideas include:

• Let prepare something easy such as a salad
• Have the kids draw a picture and describe the food
• Count out berries, grapes or peas together into a bowl
• Let the children help wash and prepare the fruits or vegetables
• Allow them to touch, smell and investigate the food thoroughly
• Have them select the fruits or vegetables they will help prepare
• Grow a garden of vegetables, herbs or fruit. Allow the children to nurture the plants
• Have the children explore new shapes and colours with the use of fruits or vegetables

Enjoying Fruits and Vegetables

Eating fruits or vegetables does not have to be a negative experience. In fact, eating fruits and vegetables can be fun and exciting such as:

• Serve a wide variety and make the dish colorful
• Instead of cooking the vegetables, serve them raw with a healthy dip
• Always eat with the kids. Children are more apt to try the food if they see you enjoying it
• Make the snack fun. Serve Ants on a Log (celery stuffed with peanut butter topped with raisins)
• Keep the meal experience pleasant. If there is stress at mealtime, a child is less likely to try new foods

Staging 

How the fruits and vegetables are presented is very important. A limp asparagus spear or a pile of mushy cooked greens really isn’t very appealing. Enliven the food and put on a grand show for the kids. For instance:

• Fruit or vegetable skewers
• Creative fruit or vegetable platters
• Julienne vegetables served with yoghurt or avocado dips
• Muffins or cake baked with vegetables like carrots or zucchini
• Open faced cheese sandwiches with a smiley face using tomatoes and olives
• Mini jacket potatoes cooked with tomatoes and green pepper and topped with cheese

Other Helpful Hints

Always keep a bowl of fruit and vegetables handy for kids to snack on. Some children even like raw carrots, cherry tomatoes or sliced cucumbers to nibble on. And for unwilling eaters, have a new fruit or vegetable for them to try once a week. Also, try to include fruit and vegetables with the majority of snacks and meals.