Build a Balanced Breakfast

1. 1

   Invite your child to be the breakfast chef who will prepare a balanced meal for the family.

2. 2

   Set out foods such as bread, eggs, ham, cheese, and lettuce. Talk together about what each can provide.

3. 3

   If your child says, “Cheese helps me grow,” add one clear fact: “Cheese has calcium, which helps build strong bones.” Vegetables provide vitamins, and eggs provide protein. Combining different foods can make a balanced breakfast.

4. 4

   Dad can order an unbalanced meal first: “I want only ham in my bread.” Ask, “Would that make a balanced breakfast?”

5. 5

   Let your child use what you discussed to suggest another ingredient and explain why: “Add an egg. It has protein.” Then let the chef complete Dad’s breakfast.

6. 6

   Notice the revised combination: “You added another kind of food and made a more balanced breakfast.”

What to notice

• Changes an unbalanced breakfast by adding another kind of food Health, Safety, and Nutrition
• Responds to a family member’s order and gives a simple reason for an ingredient choice Communicating and Speaking

Tips

• Add a different request for the chef to solve: “I’d like a food with vitamins.” Let your child review the available ingredients, choose one, and explain the choice.

Developmental benefits

• Movement: Talking about what different foods provide and using that knowledge to build a balanced breakfast helps your child develop early awareness of nutrition and healthy eating.
• Cognitive: Choosing ingredients for a stated need and explaining each choice gives your child practice making an independent decision from the information available.