Healthy eating for young children is not restricted to giving them healthy meals but also teaching them about what they are eating to be able to make better health choices as they grow. Children are taught through play the different types of food we have at Twinkly Tots from carbohydrates ( rice, bread, potatoes), protein (meat, beans), fat and oil ( butter, cheese), etc. and how they are all required by the body in specific quantities.

Children need to be given small healthy meals ( 3 times) together with at least 2 snacks daily because of their small tummies. It is never too early to begin to help children make better choices regarding what they eat. It can be by encouraging them to have more fruits and vegetables, taking fresh fruit juice instead of soft drinks, and drinking a lot of water.

At Twinkly Tots we are committed to helping children eating healthy meals by 

1. Creating warm and welcoming dining: Children eat in groups where they are able to have light social conversations with the teachers together at the table and develop social skills. They are encouraged to talk quietly about what they are eating, identify, and mention the names of their food. The dining area is warm and bright
2. Do not force feed: Children are encouraged to take their meals and are not forced to eat more than their tiny tummies would allow. We also encourage them to try out the food before refusing to eat it if it is a new meal prepared for the child.
3. Table manners: Teachers are constantly through modeling showing the children the proper way to eat their meals
4. Cleanliness: Children and Teachers have to wash their hands before any mealtime at Twinkly Tots. We know how messy it can be when children are eating, especially those learning to eat by themselves. To keep the children clean while eating, bibs are placed around children’s necks for those that need one. Wipes and towels are always readily available to wipe their mouths after meals.
5. Balanced healthy meals: Children bring their meals from home, but we provide feedback to parents constantly on the quantity of food eaten, suggestions of other food ideas suitable for their child as well as weaning food ideas. 

Teachers are also constantly being trained on handling food, food preservation, and storage. Twinkly Tots provides healthy meal advice, resources like this write up to Parents to support them in their journey of developing healthy eating children. Eating healthy meals for children 0-5 years especially will ensure that they grow and develop appropriately.