Brain Foods for Preschool Children – Brain foods and power snacks for preschool-age children. Brain-boosting recipes to increase cognitive skills and overall health for preschoolers.
OAKLAND COUNTY MOMS EDUCATION ARTICLES & RESOURCES
Brain Foods for Preschool Children
Amir Khan, Health + Wellness reporter for U.S. News, discusses how blueberries, Greek yogurt, seeds, whole grains and avocados (brain foods for preschool children) can help improve brain function in his list of “9 Foods That Can Keep Your Brain Sharp.” According to Carol Sorgen and Dr. Louise Chang, on WebMD, these “super foods” are packed with vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that help improve your cardiovascular health and protect your brain from cognitive decline and stress.
Parents looking for ways to improve their preschooler’s health and cognitive skills might try letting them help prepare simple foods and snacks in the kitchen. Children as young as 2 can help with food preparation, and they can benefit from the activity in multiple ways.
Brain Foods for Preschool Children can help language skills
Have your child help gather all the ingredients needed for the recipe. Read the list with him or her and then discuss the items you need and what they are used for as the child locates them. You can also test your little helper’s memory by asking what is still left to get on the list. Make sure to talk about the process of preparing the recipe with your child as you go through it. Your child will work on following simple instructions and learn new vocabulary along the way.
Brain Foods for Preschool Children can help math skills
Math can be made fun when used to help make a tasty treat. Have your preschooler help measure the ingredients needed. When a recipe calls for more than one of an item, have your child count them for you. If your child is ready, pose simple math problems such as, “The recipe calls for three eggs and we already put one in. How many more do we need to add?”
Brain Foods for Preschool Children can help boost self-esteem
All young children go through the “I do” stage. By helping out with something that they see the adults in their life do on a daily basis, they are building confidence in their independent skills. If you are sharing the food you make with other members of the family, make sure that you make a point to let them know that your child made it. Seeing that other people are enjoying something that the child made will really light up his or her face.
Brain Foods for Preschool Children can help encourage healthy eating
For many kids, trying new foods is daunting. Giving your children the opportunity to touch, smell and interact with new foods may make them more likely to try them. Smoothies and parfaits are a great way to allow kids to pick out their favorite fruits and add some fun new healthy ingredients to boost brain function. Check out the recipes below for some tasty, brain-boosting, kid-friendly treats.
Brain Foods for Preschool Children – Recipes
Brain Foods for Preschool Children Recipe #1 – Brain-Boosting Banana-Berry Smoothie (Serves 2)
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen mixed berries (find one with blueberries, a great brain food)
- 1/2 cup juice
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp. flaxseed
- 1 ripe banana, peeled
- Half an avocado, peeled and pitted (Did you know avocados help improve blood supply to the brain?)
Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add more juice.
Brain Foods for Preschool Children Recipe #2 – Parfait (Serves 2)
A quick and easy treat that gives your kid complete creative control
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cup granola
- 1 cup of your favorite fruit
- Honey to taste (optional)
Directions
Allow your child to alternate layers of yogurt, granola and fruit in a tall glass. Top with honey to taste, and enjoy.
This Brain Foods for Preschool Children article is provided by Build Up MI of Metro Detroit for Oakland County Moms. Visit www.buildupmi.org to learn more about how to get your preschooler kindergarten-ready and for more about brain foods for preschool children.
