Nutrition in Early Childhood Development

Food and nutrition are at the core of a child's growth and development. When children go without necessary nutrients, the body lacks immunity and cannot repair itself. Good nutrition is also essential for a child's cognitive development. Based on a report from the International Food Policy Research Institute, poorly nourished children often have a delay in motor and cognitive development and are more vulnerable to chronic illness.

Picky Eaters

• Children are often picky eaters from one to four years of age, which can make it difficult for a parent to get their child to eat well. Parents should allow children to explore new foods to promote proper nutrition. Finding fun ways to prepare food may help a picky eater overcome their hesitation.

Parents as Role Models

• It is important to act as a role model for proper nutrition, not only by eating a well balanced diet, but also by providing a variety of foods to a child. By eating the same healthy foods that your son or daughter eats, it will provide a good model of nutrition. Making healthy food choices such as a piece of fruit for snacks will help to reinforce good nutrition.

Mealtime Structure

• Have a structured mealtime with everyone sitting at the table and do not let a child play at the table. Meals can be a chaotic time, but making sure that your child has specific rules to follow and knows what the rules are can make meals less stressful for everyone. The rules can include no television and no getting up from the table during mealtime. Sitting down together for meals can also decrease the amount of processed or fast foods.

Involving Children in Nutritious Choices

• Nutrition during early childhood can often create a positive learning opportunity for parents and children alike. This can be accomplished by involving them at the grocery store, which is also a good venue for teaching children what fruits or vegetables make good choices as well as other healthy foods. It is important for a parent to know about nutrition, since children will probably ask why. For some, improving nutrition may be as simple as helping them participate in food choices and preparation. Making meals a hands-on activity, especially for three to four year olds, may make them more interested.

Concerns Over Cost

• If cost of food is an issue, there are programs available that help to minimize the cost of healthy foods for families. It is also possible to reduce the cost of food by selecting foods that are in season or frozen foods that do not have any additives, including sugar or coloring.

The Right Foods

• According to the United States Department of Agriculture, after the age of two, children need to eat a diet that consists of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, dairy products that are high in calcium and some oils. Fat intake should not be restricted before age two. By the time a child turns five, they should be consuming fewer high fat foods with their fat intake not exceeding 30 percent of their daily calorie intake. It is important that parents encourage children to eat high iron foods, such as lean red meat and dairy products, as well as vegetables with vitamin C to help iron absorption.