“Eat well, sleep well, you’re a king; no eating, no sleeping, worries will bring.” This playful saying of our ancestors partly reflects the importance of eating, especially for young children. Integrating nutrition and hygiene in preschool is not just about feeding children until they are full, but also an art of helping them develop comprehensively. See more images of meals in a preschool classroom.
The Importance of Nutrition and Hygiene in Early Childhood Education
Nutrition and hygiene are the foundation for the physical and intellectual development of children. A child who is provided with adequate nutrition and educated about food safety and hygiene will have better resistance, be less prone to illness, and thus learn and play more effectively. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, an early childhood education expert with 20 years of experience, emphasized in her book “Raising Healthy Children”: “Proper nutrition is the golden key that opens the door to children’s intelligence.”
For example, my son Bi used to be a very picky eater when he was young, only liking snacks and candies all day. As a result, he was stunted and often sick. Since I changed his diet and incorporated nutrition and hygiene education, he eats more deliciously, and has become noticeably stronger and healthier.
How to Effectively Integrate Nutrition and Hygiene
Integrating nutrition and hygiene needs to be done scientifically and systematically. Here are some suggestions:
Through Learning Activities
We can integrate nutritional knowledge into daily learning activities such as: having children color pictures of vegetables and fruits, playing games to classify foods, and singing songs about eating. This way, children will absorb knowledge naturally and enthusiastically. Activities like preschool ‘Bac Kim Thang’ dance are also an effective way to integrate food safety and hygiene education.
Building Healthy Eating Habits
Besides providing knowledge, building healthy eating habits for children is also extremely important. Encourage children to eat more vegetables and fruits, drink enough water, and limit sweets and fast food. Our ancestors had a saying: “If you worship, you will be blessed; if you are cautious, you will be safe.” In Vietnamese culture, eating is also associated with many spiritual beliefs. For example, people often avoid eating dog meat in January with the hope of a lucky and favorable year. However, abstinence should be based on scientific grounds, avoiding superstition.
Collaboration Between Family and School
Close collaboration between family and school is key to effective nutrition and hygiene education. Parents need to maintain healthy eating habits at home and regularly communicate with teachers to understand their child’s eating situation at school. Nhan Duc Preschool in Da Nang is a prime example of close cooperation between family and school in educating children.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to get children to eat vegetables?
- How many meals a day should children eat?
- What is a reasonable menu for preschoolers?
Refer to preschool lesson plans for May and a glimpse into a preschooler’s day for more useful information.
Conclusion
Integrating nutrition and hygiene in preschool is an important task that requires effort and perseverance from both families and schools. Let’s join hands to build a generation of healthy, intelligent, and active children. Feel free to leave a comment, share this article, or contact us at 0372999999 or address 234 Hao Nam, Hanoi. Our customer care team is always ready to support you 24/7.