Parents who are determined that their young children eat a very healthy diet look for a Chicago pre-school that serves high-quality meals. The combination of a Montessori-based educational program could be another strong preference.
These parents might like hearing that at least some of the food served at a preschool they are considering is organic. Fresh produce probably will be a priority, and they may appreciate a school that buys from local suppliers. Mothers and fathers might even find a Chicago pre-school that grows some of its own food. Gardening provides fun and rewarding learning experiences for children.
Research has found that kids are more agreeable to eating many kinds of vegetables if they have a hand in growing these plants. Children of pre-school age are more open to trying vegetables they have never seen before if this experience is relatively routine. Surrounded by their peers who are enjoying the different flavors, hesitant youngsters become willing to give the unfamiliar items a try.
The school may also offer some opportunities for students to help prepare meals. Even toddlers can do some of the easiest tasks. For instance, they can form meatballs and tear lettuce leaves into smaller pieces. They can place toppings onto a pizza. Teachers from Council Oak Montessori School might encourage the students to count out loud while pieces of dough are placed on a cookie sheet.
Moms and dads may be pleasantly surprised at the new enthusiasm shown for vegetables by children who attend this school. Now they easily expand their menu options at home without dealing with kids putting up a fuss. That’s a more effective solution than demanding the children eat foods they don’t like or hiding veggies in other foods. Blending vegetable puree into spaghetti sauce and hamburger is one way of boosting intake, for example, but it doesn’t teach the children healthy eating habits. Those good habits should last a lifetime.
