Kitchen Classroom
Did you know ... Preschoolers consume 50-75% of their daily food needs while in childcare?
At the Children’s Discovery Center, we serve Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack each day to all of our preschoolers and staff. We offer a family-style setting, to kids ages 2-5. Our students are engaged in the whole process: scooping/pinching their food, pouring the drink, and clearing their dishes. The CDC is one of many in the state that participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Our Head Cook introduces a safe mealtime environment to promote healthy growth and development in our preschoolers.
Click below to see a video of our preschoolers enjoying a meal family-style
https://www.facebook.com/PinedaleDiscoveryCenter/videos/471620170309660/
Ideal family-style meals:
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All the food is ready at the start of the meal.
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Everyone sits down together.
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The table looks great.
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There are serving utensils for all the food.
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Everyone is polite and waits to start eating until everyone is ready.
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Food is passed from one person to another.
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Everyone serves themselves (or with assistance)
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There is plenty of food.
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Everyone is happy and talking.
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Develops independence.
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Build self-esteem and confidence.
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Develop healthy eating behaviors, such as trying new foods and making healthy food choices.
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Children will also learn manners, and improve their social and language skills.
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Eat based on their hunger and fullness cues