The foundations of lifelong health start in the Early Years

According to Harvard’s Center for the Developing Child, the foundations of lifelong health are built in early childhood. When children have positive early experiences, they strengthen their developing biological systems and are more likely to thrive and become healthy adults. Sound childhood health also provides the foundation for building sturdy brain architecture as well as a broad range of skills.

Their research has identified 3 basic foundations of lifelong health that are laid down in early childhood:

1. A stable and responsive environment of relationships. These provide young children with consistent, nurturing, and protective interactions with adults, which help them develop adaptive capacities that promote learning and well-regulated stress response systems.
2. Safe and supportive environments. These provide children with places that are free from pollution, allow active and safe exploration, and offer their families opportunities to exercise and form social connections.
3. Sound and appropriate nutrition. This includes healthy eating habits, beginning with the future mother’s attitudes towards nutrition even before she gets pregnant.

Good Nutrition in Early Childhood increases the rate of development

The quality of a child’s diet profoundly impacts their developmental trajectory, with good nutrition significantly accelerating growth and cognitive development in the following ways:

Brain Development: The early years are a period of rapid brain growth. Essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc support cognitive development, memory, and learning abilities.  

Physical Development: Proper nutrition fuels physical growth and development. Adequate protein, calcium, and vitamin D are crucial for strong bones, muscles, and teeth.  

Immunity: A balanced diet strengthens the immune system, helping children fight off infections and illnesses.

Early Years Nutrition is Whole Family Nutrition

During sensitive periods of early growth and development, the evolving architecture of the brain (as well as other vital organs) is highly receptive to a wide range of environmental signals or cues, whether positive or negative.

As adults, we may have developed unhealthy, or inconsistent eating habits as a result of a professional working lifestyle.  Thinking about developing better eating routines; even before getting pregnant, means creating healthy family mealtimes will be a lot easier once your child arrives. 

Meals are social occasions, an opportunity to share knowledge about food choices; and a long lasting way to create positive memory associations with food.  When you are eating healthily it sets a good example to your children.

8 Tips for Encouraging Healthy Eating in Early Childhood

When preparing food try to consider the following:

1. Food Types: Opt for whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
2. Cooking Methods: Wherever possible healthier cooking methods should be used, eg baking, boiling, steaming, grilling,
3. Colours: Choose combinations of colours to make food look attractive. Three or four defined areas of colour look good on a plate.
4. Textures: A combination of different textures increases appeal. Children will appreciate crispy, crunchy, chewy, smooth and soft foods.
5. Flavours: Taste should be varied but meals containing too many new flavours may not be acceptable to children.
6. Equipment: Child-sized cutlery and crockery, and being able to sit comfortably and safely at mealtimes may make it easier for children to serve themselves and learn to eat independently. 
7. Encouragement: Encourage children to try all the foods offered but never force a child to eat
8. Engagement: Involve Children in Food Preparation: Let them help with simple tasks like washing fruits or stirring ingredients.

At Step by Step Nursery we encourage healthy eating policies at all our branches. Our catering partners have been carefully selected for their attention to the nutritional needs of very young children. 

Our meal plans consist of a morning snack, followed by a hot lunch and an afternoon snack.  Each meal is individually packed to encourage independence and to keep food safe and healthy. Our plans can also be customized around your child’s individual dietary requirements.