Hello Toddler Families!
We are starting to get the hang of our routines in the toddler room already and we are so pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and self-sufficient your children are in the classroom space! Last week we talked about our routine and some of the basic skills we focus on in the first few weeks of school. This week, we want to focus on something that all toddlers have a special place in their heart for...FOOD!
Food is such an important part of a toddler's day. It not only gives them the nourishment they need for their growing body and minds but also allows for:
social interaction at the snack and lunch table
language development when we talk about the foods we eat
sensory experiences as we touch, taste and smell our food
opportunities to work on our fine motor skills as they open containers and zip top bags
We eat in a family/community style setup with all the children and Morahs at one big table. This gives us the opportunity to gather together and share conversations about our food and our day. We encourage the children to talk about what is in their lunchboxes, compare and contrast and talk about all the colors and textures they can see and feel. We love this time to bond with them over something familiar and important to them and their families. It's so much fun to see the different things they bring and hear, "My Mommy made it for me" with so much love and pride in their voices.
One thing that we are working hard on is independence. We always help when necessary, but first have the children try themselves and only offer support if they truly cannot do it. We also focus on showing them HOW to do it, verses doing it for them whenever possible. There are many lunch and snack containers that are easy to use and great for toddler food. If you have any questions or need suggestions, feel free to ask!
Here are some lunch and snack "dos and don'ts":
DO pack a healthy AM and PM snack in 2 separate labeled containers
DON'T allow your toddler to pack their leftover mashed birthday cake as their snack
DO send lots of fruits, veggies and protein
DO pack their foods in child friendly containers and bags that are easily opened for independence
DON'T send containers that require a vice grip or a locksmith to get into
DO pack a reusable spoon and fork in your child's lunch if needed
DON'T pack soup and send your child a plastic knife as a utensil
DO have fun and enlist your toddler to assist in the packing
DON'T leave all the packing to your 2 year old!
Again, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask! By now you should all have at least one parent added to our whatsapp group. This is a great way to contact Morahs as well as ask questions to the group that other parents may have the answers to! If you need another parent added or would prefer any changes in this communication just ask.
Thank you for sharing your precious children with us!
Love,
Morahs Megan, K and Sarah