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Lunchbox boss!

Lunchbox boss!

Encouraging children to make their own lunch inspires self-help, decision-making skills, and provides the perfect opportunity to discuss healthy eating. By creating healthy eating habits in their preschool years, your child will be more likely to maintain healthy eating for a lifetime. There is also the added bonus: if they choose it, they'll eat it!

How to do it

Put out a selection of snack and sandwich filling options for your child to choose from. Once they have chosen their sandwich filling, model by making your own sandwich. Show how the sandwich can be cut into triangles, rectangles, or squares.

Lunchbox ideas

Sandwich options

Use grainy or wholemeal bread, wraps, or pita pockets:

  • Tuna
  • Lettuce
  • Grated carrot
  • Boiled mashed egg
  • Grated cheese
  • Tomatoes
  • Cold meats
  • Avocado
  • Corn
  • Hummus
  • Vegemite
  • Falafel

Snack options

  • Carrots
  • Capsicum
  • Fruit kebab
  • Hummus
  • Cheese
  • Boiled egg
  • Crackers
  • Unsweetened yoghurt
  • Savoury muffin
  • Fruit (grapes, oranges, apples, etc)

You will need

  • Bread or wraps of your choice
  • Knife (not sharp)
  • Fruit
  • Dairy item, such as unsweetened yoghurt or cheese
  • Small snack, such as crackers or cottage cheese
  • Lunchbox container (separate compartments if possible)

Tips

  1. Supervise your child while using a knife.
  2. Instead of using plastic wraps, purchase a lunchbox with dividers to separate the food and keep it fresh.
  3. Remember, some early learning centres have anti-nut policies and other food restrictions.

What learning is occuring

  1. Small muscle development and hand-eye coordination.
  2. Self-help and decision-making skills.
  3. Knowledge of healthy food.

Extracted from Bright Ideas for Young Minds: 70 step-by-step activities to do at home with your child (Mary Egan publishing $39.99)




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