As adults, we tend to take having good general knowledge about health and nutrition for granted, often forgetting that it’s taken years of our own parents and caregivers drumming the information into our heads to get to that point! And even once we have reached adulthood, we are continually learning.

Although the topic of nutrition is vast, educating preschool children when they are young about the importance of eating healthy is very important.

With a lot to cover when it comes to this topic, it can be hard to know where to start. Without wanting to overload our children with information, we want to make sure we’re encouraging good habits early on!

So, let’s understand why young children need to learn about food, nutrition and healthy eating, what they need to know, and in what ways you can impart your wisdom upon them!

Why do children need to know about food, nutrition and healthy eating?

As mentioned, children aren’t properly equipped with the knowledge needed to know how to choose a balanced diet which meets all their nutritional needs. It takes a while for them to acquire all the knowledge they need to live a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Here are the main reasons why we should teach our kids about food, nutrition and healthy eating:

To help them develop life skills of handling, preparing and selecting food.

To help ensure their safety, health and well-being.

To encourage them to take ‘risks’ by experimenting with new real-life experiences in a safe, yet controlled situation.

To inform and encourage them to eat a balanced nutritious diet that meets their needs.

To help them begin to make effective choices which will enable them to develop an understanding of what to buy, cook and eat in later life.

Now we know the main reasons why we should be teaching our children about food, nutrition and healthy eating, what exactly do they need to know about the topic?

What does my child need to know about healthy eating, food and nutrition?

As young children are choosing and handling food every day, they need the knowledge and skills to be able to make the right choices and follow safe practices when it comes to food.

And in order to make the right choices, they need to learn where food comes from and what has happened, before it reaches the shops and arrives on the table for them to eat.

They also need to develop good patterns of eating and positive attitudes to food - which in turn will give them a balanced diet.

Although children from ages 3-5 are too young to be able to independently cook for themselves, this is a good age to begin understanding how to prepare food safely. Learning these lessons early on sets a good pace for their continued learning within the subject as they grow and gain more independence in life.

The following points summarise what young children need to learn at ages 3-5 about this food and nutrition:

How to select and safely use a range of equipment and tools.

How foods are produced and can be used.

Where staple foods come from.

That food is needed for growth and safety.

What can happen to ingredients and foods during cooking and other processes.

How to plan and estimate with a sound degree of practical accuracy.

To gain confidence and enjoyment in preparing food and eating with friends.

Finally, in addition to knowing why and what children need to learn about this topic, you, as a parent, now need to think about some practical approaches to teaching your youngsters about this topic. Children learn the best when they are engaged in conversation and talked to constantly. This is how they develop understanding and skills.

Good practical approaches are:

When your child is eating, talk about the food’s appearance, temperature, smell, taste and texture, as well as its roots and origins. This will help them familiarise themselves with different foods.

When you’re eating with your child, discuss the effects that that particular food can have on your health and body. This will encourage them to eat healthier.

When your child is eating, talk about what they are doing, as well as their actions and behaviour.

Ensure you are supplying your child with key vocabulary and encouraging them to discuss food, their reactions, feelings and actions. This will be a wonderful support for their language development and learning.

Give your child foods of different tastes and consistencies. This will help them to develop the confidence and curiosity to try other foods.

Let your child handle drinks and finger feed themselves to give further learning opportunities for physical, language and social and emotional development.

Help your child to manipulate cutlery, pour drinks, turn a tap and engage in cooking or cooking play. This will give them chances to extend, apply and increase the range of their learning.

Invite your child on a grocery shopping trip, and encourage them to write their first shopping list.

Talk about the food and shops you will need to visit for the trip. When in the shop, talk about the food you are buying. Encourage your child to look out for different items.

Invite your child to help with clearing away after a meal. This will help them understand the importance of this ritual in relation to many factors, such as hygiene and the importance of properly cleaning up mess.

Top Tip: Be consistent and persistent! Sticking to the rules helps your children learn what is best for them nutrition-wise early on. It sets the pace for a healthy and happy path for them.

How do I teach my child to eat healthily?

It's all about creating a positive food environment, setting a good example, and providing education and guidance about nutrition.