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​During Summer time, with the hot weather it is very easily to forget to have healthy food throughout the day as we tend to pick on food rather than have a proper meal.

Our children are the same, but they need us adults to help them to make the right food choices. Children aged 1-4 need 3 meals throughout the day and 2-3 healthy snacks in between.

Healthy food means eating variety of food from each of the main food groups.

What food is nutritious and what food is not?

Before we start on what food is healthy and what food is not, let’s talk about three very important nutrients children need.

• Iron
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3

All these nutrients play an important part in children overall development in particular brain.

Iron  
Did you know that children aged 1-3 don’t eat enough iron in their food.  Iron plays important part in their development so it is important that we do provide children with enough foods that are rich in iron such as : red meat, poultry oily rich foods and also in green leafy vegetables , beans, lentils, pumpkin seeds, eggs and also many breakfast cereals are fortified with iron. Eating foods high in vitamin C can boost the absorption of iron in the body.


Vitamin D
Did you know that almost 97 % of toddlers are not getting enough vitamin D. The reason for that is :

• Irish weather – we do not get enough sun even during the summer and we also protect our children from the sun by applying sun cream.
• There is very little foods that have vitamin D

It is recommended that children aged 1 – 4 should have 5 micrograms of vitamin D everyday in winter. It is recommended that children do get a supplement of vitamin D during the months of October to March .

Omega – 3 fats
Omega – 3 fats are essential for healthy brain, eyes and nerves especially when growing. The average intake of is about 70 mg while the recommended amount is 100 – 250 grams a day.

Omega-3 fats can be found in rich oily fish such as salmon, trout , sardines or mackerel . Omega -3 fats can be also found in nuts and seed such as walnuts , almonds or linseed or flaxseed.

Therefore, it is important to give children and oil rich fish al least once a week.

Healthy food is ?
It is the food that helps us maintain or improve our overall health. A healthy diet is a diet full of nutritious food such as : fresh fruit  and vegetables , lean red meat or poultry as well as foods rich in fiber .

How much is enough :
Children aged 1-3  need :

• 2-3 servings of fruit , vegetables
• 3 servings of dairy such as ( yogurt, cheese or milk)
• 2 servings of protein (3-4 year olds 3-4 servings of protein)
• 3 - 4 servings of carbs ( cereal, bread , pasta ,rice , crackers )

 
Snacks – young children need between 2 to 3 snacks a day. The snacks can be  a small piece of fruit , small yogurt, plain rice cake , 2 crackers .
 
“Treat foods “ – surprisingly small children do not need these foods as they fill their small tummies and stop them from eating nutritious food.

A maximum of ONE treat per week for children aged 1-4

• 1 square of chocolate
• 3 crisps
•  half plain biscuit
• Avoid fizzy drinks at all times if possible

Portion size few things to keep in mind :

• Serve their food in children size plates, bowls , cups
• Don’t overfill

 
Remember large portions can
- put children off eating 
- lead to weight gain
- defer fussy eaters
- leads to waste of food and or resources
 
Examples of child’s portions  of different foods would be :

• 1  and half wheat biscuit
• half a cup of cereal
• 200 ml of milk
• 1 rice cake
• half of an apple, orange , pear or banana
• 3 to 4 carrots cooked
• 5 to 6 grapes
• 1 plum , kiwi or mandarin
• 1 egg
• 30 g of cooked beef, poultry ,lamb or salmon
• 2 falafels
• Half a cup of baked beans
• ¼ cup of lentils ,peas or chickpeas
• 1 teaspoon of nut butter
• 1 – 2 crackers
• 2 small pots of yogurt 47 g or one pot of yogurt 100g
• ½ cup of cooked pasta, rice , noodles or couscous
• Limit process foods like ham , bacon
• Children should not have more than 150 ml of fruit juice per day as it is not kind to their teeth.

 
 
Is your child a fussy eater ? What is fussy eating ?
 
Fussy eating is usually a phase where a child does not eat well or refuses to eat certain food. Fussy eating lasts for more than a month. Can be mild or severe. Usually does not affect overall nutrition.
 
Please remember it is normal for children to dislike some foods like us adults.
 Causes of fussy eating

• Illness
• Choking incident
• Lack of variety during weaning
• Strong sense of smell or touch

When it can become a problem

• when children don’t meet their needs for nutrition
• when the foods they eat is very restricted
• when its becoming a stressful event for the family or child

 
Is it fussy eating or they are not hungry

• maybe they are just not hungry
• maybe they have just drank too much milk /juice
• are they not getting enough exercise
• do you have set snack / meal times
• try offer them a drink at least half way through meal time

 
Is it fussy eating ? Showing independence

• they may be showing independence
• very common around 2 years of age
• usually passes
• they might start to copy their parents
• avoid rows – it’s a natural phase
• try to eat with your kids as much as possible

 
Tips on how to avoid having a fussy eater :

• set times for meals and snack
• don’t allow  grazing
• children rarely need more than two snack during the day
• nibbling on parents food counts as a snack

At meal times remember to :

• not pile the food on the plate
• not force your child to clear the plate
• encourage them to eat slowly
• again try to avoid rows at mealtimes
• don’t engage in an argument about the food with your child

 
Remember everyone in the family eats the same meal at mealtimes ( try not to give them their favourite food all the time ).
There are no snacks or substitutes if your child does not eat the meal ( they have to wait until the next meal).
 
Things to try :
New food technique  - did you know it takes 16 tries before our body gets used to new food. Offer a small amount on the plate each time at mealtime. Do not make any comments about the food whether it is eaten or not.

Table technique -  try eat with your child as often as you can. Regularly serve new or non-preferred food

Dip it – we all know our children love to dip. Offer sticks or pieces of food that they can dip it for example: ketchup , cream cheese ,yogurt, peanut butter
 
Spread it – children love to be able to do things for themselves. Give your kids a blunt knife or a spoon and get them to spread it. Crackers with soft cheese , bread with some butter
 
Serve it -  try cut your children food into different shapes ,serve the food in unusual containers for example : taco shell, ice cream cones
 
Just remember fussy eating is not a bad behaviour. It does usually pass but it might take up to a year for it to fully resolve. Remember, no child will always eat everything. Don’t be too hard on yourself or your child.


By Barbara Cunningham- Longfield Academy.
 
 
 
 

Research in early childhood education has since confirmed that Friedrich Froebel was indeed on the right track when he suggested that playing with sounds in language has significant benefits for children’s learning and development, and nursery rhymes are one of the best and most fun ways we can do this. 


Among the benefits of nursery rhymes for young children are:

• Nursery rhymes are ‘mini’ stories and are a great way to begin to foster children’s engagement with storytelling.
•  Nursery rhymes support children’s receptive and expressive language development.
• Through nursery rhymes, children become familiar with the sounds and rhythmic patterns in a spoken language.
• Nursery rhymes can reinforce mathematical concepts such as number, shape, and space in fun and enjoyable contexts.
• Children’s imagination and creativity are nurtured as they engage with the characters and scenarios in nursery rhymes.
• Nursery rhymes, through suggesting actions, physical movement, and dance, promote children’s fine and gross motor development.
• Nursery rhymes create an opportunity for children to participate in enjoyable interactive and social contexts with adults and with each other.
• Creative expression through Art and Drama is nurtured as children often spontaneously draw/paint/sculpt images suggested by the rhyme and/or naturally become the characters in the rhyme.

Most importantly, we know that children enjoy singing, reciting, and playing through nursery rhymes, and we know that learning and development flourishes when we the children are happy and having fun!

Here in Longfield Academy the children love Nursery rhymes/song time and a few of their daily favourites are:

1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
2. Wheels on the bus
3. Five little ducks
4. Baby shark
5. One little Finger
6. Happy and you know it
7. Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
8. Old Mc Donald
9. Row, row, row your boat
10. Incy wincy spider

Now think about your favourite nursery rhyme, can you still recite it with all those actions and how much fun it still is! Why not try one of Longfield’s favourite Nursery rhymes and practice with your little expert at home?
 
By Siobhán Shelly - LINC Co-ordinator

As we prepare ourselves for winter here in Longfield Academy, we reflect on how winter in Ireland can be unpredictable. The weather can vary from rain, hail, sleet, and snow to blissful winter sunshine on a cold frosty morning.  Each weather phenomenon is an opportunity for a rich emergent learning experience for children. These experiences can range from gathering rainwater, to jumping in puddles, or even learning some basic Science by waiting for the ice to thaw. 
We are all aware of the vital role outdoor play has in children’s development. It provides children with learning opportunities where they can explore natural resources such as mud, grass, and sticks. This exploration has been shown to promote high levels of attention, emotional regulation, and well-being. There may also be additional opportunities to engage in sensory play with natural resources, which we may not be able to replicate in an indoor environment. The opportunities for risky and creative play are only limited by the imagination.

Waterproof clothing – jacket and trousers or a full suit, which can withstand rain. These act as a top layer.

• As temperatures can be variable, we should consider light layers, thus ensuring the child does not overheat or get cold. A base layer – such as wool or a moisture wicking fabric is appropriate, cotton is not ideal as it absorbs moisture. Fleeces are ideal for the next layer as they are perfect for providing warmth.
• Mittens/gloves, again waterproof, so children can explore. A cotton glove once wet will become cold on a child’s hand and inhibit play.
• Welly boots – fleece lined will provide warmth. Alternatively, an additional heavy sock layer may be used.
• Always consider the opportunities for movement in clothing; ensuring clothing is not too bulky and does not inhibit play.

 

​This is a lovely story about Little Hedgehog who decides to go to Badger’s house during a storm. Hedgehog meets some friends along the way who are not dressed for the cold weather. Hedgehog shares his warm clothes with these friends, and eventually makes his way to Badgers house. The following day Hedgehog is worried about the all the twigs and leaves being blown away and not being able to make a new home. Hedgehog’s friends from the previous day help him out.

Christmas is a very special time here at Longfield Academy. All of our children have been as busy as Santa's Elves making decorations, baking christmas treats, practising Christmas songs and even forming a Christmas band. 

Our Junior Toddlers did a great job decorating our christmas tree and even made some of their own using playdough. 

Our Senior Toddlers created beautiful christmas art to decorate their classroom. They made jingle bells, baubles, melted snowmen, and christmas trees. 

Our Junior and Afternoon Red Pre-Schoolers invited their parents to come into school for a Christmas party. They made delicious Christmas rice krispies buns and hot chocolate with marshmallows as treats for the party. The children and their parents had a list of jobs to do before a special visitor arrived. This included having a treat, making a tree decoration, pinning the nose on Rudolph and singing a Christmas song. Santa read all the children a Christmas story and gave them all a special present. ​

Our Senior Pre-schoolers had their Christmas concert for all their Mammies and Daddies. They sang lots of christmas songs and also sang a beautiful rendition of 'Its a long way to Tipperary'. The children were very excited to get a visit from Santa, who heard their singing all the way from the North Pole. ​