Special Breakfast

Cooking your child’s favorite breakfast can be a great way to start the day. If pancakes are a special treat, a large stack with butter and maple syrup can make the sleepiest kid perk up. If they love eggs and bacon, making a big breakfast that will keep them energized until lunch is a great idea. Start that special day off right with a special breakfast.

Picture

You will want to commemorate this day of school beginnings, and your child will love looking back over their “first day” photos. A photo makes the day seem more special, and is a great ritual to start for their school career.

Plan

For the first morning to go smoothly, you need to plan ahead. Making sure you have breakfast ideas ready, lunches made, and clothing, shoes, and backpacks laid out. This will make the morning time much easier, and eliminate stress and meltdowns right before school starts.

Sleep

Getting plenty of sleep will ensure that your little one has the energy to tackle a new environment. Starting  the week before the first day, make sure your child is going to bed at a reasonable time and waking up around the time that they will need to be getting up for preschool. Sleep is so important for your child’s growth, learning, and mood, and is essential for a great preschool experience.

Using these tips will make for an easier first day of preschool, and start your child’s educational career off right! If you are looking for a great preschool in South Bend, Elkhart, Goshen, or Chesterton, Growing Kids Learning Centers is here for you! We have the best programs to nurture your child and get them ready for elementary school!

The post Your Child’s First Day of Preschool appeared first on Growing Kids Learning Center.

Smoothies

Sometimes kids just don’t really like to eat anything in the morning. Sneak some nutrition in with a power-packed smoothie before they start their school day. Many things can be hidden in a smoothie that your child would never eat on their own, including spinach, carrots, nuts, and seeds! When these ingredients are blended up many of the tastes and textures are obscured, and the sweet taste of fruits and yogurt shine through. Banana provides a great healthy sweet base for your smoothies, and any fruits you use (or veggies) will change the color of your smoothie. Does your child love pink? A strawberry and yogurt smoothie can give a boost of protein with a beautiful pink hue. Is green the favorite color of the week? Spinach blended in turns your smoothie a vibrant green, but your child will never taste the hidden veggies. A smoothie is a great preschool breakfast, especially if your kiddo doesn’t like to eat fruits and veggies whole.

Muffins

Muffins are something most preschoolers love, and a lifesaver for busy moms and dads. Make them ahead of time and freeze for easy, fuss-free mornings—plus they are great on the go! Muffins are another great place for sneaking in fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds, and many kids love anything baked into these tasty little cakes. Blueberry muffins are always winners, and even carrot “cake” muffins made with applesauce and cream cheese “frosting” can be healthy while appealing to a little sweet tooth. Muffins also are good because of their small portion size, making them great for small tummies.

Sundaes for Breakfast

No, we’re not talking about ice cream, but having a faux sundae can get a picky eater to enjoy something that looks like a dessert. Use full-fat yogurt as your ice cream, and let your child pick the toppings they love the most! Layering berries, granola, and honey in a clear parfait glass makes this breakfast visually appealing and can tempt even a stubborn breakfast eater. This breakfast is so easy, your kiddo can probably make it themselves—this makes it even more likely they will enjoy it!

Soup

Okay, this suggestion is not for your die-hard breakfast food lovers. But kids love soup, and soup is an easy way to pack in the veggies. A warm tomato soup on a cold winter day will wake them up in the best way. On a hot summer morning a cold gazpacho soup can give nutrition and be refreshing. If your little ones would rather have soup than eggs, let them! The most important thing is that they get good nutrition in their bellies before school!

Set your child up for preschool success with a great nutritious breakfast! If you are looking for a preschool where your little one can grow, learn, and play, Growing Kids Learning Center has locations in South Bend, Chesterton, Elkhart, and Goshen—contact us today!

The post Breakfast Ideas For Preschoolers! appeared first on Growing Kids Learning Center.

• By being a good example, parents can be the first and most effective teachers when it comes to how to engage in polite conversation and how to be good listeners and waiting to take turns to speak. 
• Teach your children concepts like empathy and concern for others. By teaching them how to read social cues such as facial expressions, that child will be able to pick up on subtle hints that allow them to interact in more socially acceptable ways.
• For children that are socially awkward and struggling to make friends, competition can be trouble. Stay away from competitive games and engage children in cooperative play that fosters relationships and common ground.
• Try to keep voice levels in control and use encouraging and supportive words and actions when interacting with your shy child. Don’t trivialize their negative emotions or belittle them in any way.

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