Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits with your Child(ren)

Children's eating habits evolve alongside their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Often, we categorize them as “good eaters” or “picky eaters.” During the toddler years, children are in a stage of “eating exploration.”

What they enjoy one week might not interest them the next, and they might avoid eating it altogether. These shifts in food preferences and amounts are a normal part of their developmental journey as they explore their world.

One way to encourage your child to try new foods, is to involve them in food selection and food preparation, when possible. Engage your child in choosing from a set of preselected snack options. This way, they still have the autonomy to make their own choice while feeling included in the process.

Snack time at school provides a valuable social interaction opportunity where children can discuss their food preferences and learn about their peers' favorites. Educators and staff often build on these conversations to help children broaden their taste preferences and be open to new foods. If your child comes home asking for a snack they’ve never tried before, embrace this curiosity. They might not enjoy it immediately but could develop a taste for it as they grow.

Make sure snack containers, fruits, and vegetables are easily accessible for your child. For example, opening a granola bar wrapper might be less daunting than peeling an orange. If your goal is to encourage more fruit consumption, consider preparing it in a way that’s easy for little hands to manage.

At The Study, our dedicated kitchen team is familiar with our students’ likes and dislikes. Lunch supervisors, parent volunteers, and even our Elementary School Director and Head of School interact with the students as they select their meals. To assist with reducing meal preparation at home, our lunch program is included in the tuition.

Our cafeteria offers a variety of healthy options, including hot lunches (both meat and vegetarian), a salad bar with numerous toppings, and a panini station featuring grilled sandwiches with a side salad. This variety not only allows students to choose foods they enjoy but also encourages them to try something new if they’re feeling adventurous.