Healthy Foods Helper
Here's What To Do
Invite your child to help you to make healthy foods together.
They can help you choose ingredients, then do simple tasks like tearing lettuce leaves then tossing the salad.
While you’re cooking together, encourage your child to describe what they notice about the foods, like their textures, shapes and colors.
Talk together about why healthy food is important and how it helps your bodies grow.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- As you’re gathering ingredients, settle your child into a place where they can help you.
Engage:
- “Can you help me to make this healthy meal please?”
- “Healthy foods help our bodies to feel good and stay strong.”
Encourage:
- When your child is involved in preparing their food they’re more likely to eat or try it.
- If your child doesn’t want to try something new, start by including them in preparing healthy foods they already like. Then, include one new ingredient.
Reflect:
- “What was your favorite thing to eat today? What should we try next?”
Not quite ready?
Name and describe some of the features of the food you are cooking, such as its color and texture, so your child can begin to notice these features.
Ready for more?
While writing the shopping list or shopping together, ask your child to suggest healthy foods you should buy. Explain what kinds of food help your body stay strong and grow.
As your child masters this skill...
They will identify and describe some healthy foods.