Healthy Eating and A New Garden !

We at Gingerbread House Daycare are committed to helping kids get excited about eating healthy. So we have partnered with a naturopathic physician and a Vancouver horticulturist to help our kids get excited about growing and eating healthy food.

Let’s grow healthy kids together! Teachers with more knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating can not only lead happier, healthier lives- they can be stronger role models for our kids and be better advocates for school wellness policies.

Since healthy teachers inspire healthy kids, we reached out to a local naturopathic physician who offered us a free 2-hour nutrition class that was fun and inspiring. Not a diet class, but basic nutritional information that was digestible and practical!

Kids are so open to new ideas when they are in a garden. And the staff at Gingerbread are grateful to have partnered with Lynsey, a passionate horticulturist, to create a sensory garden in our front two garden beds. The garden will encourage active learning by giving the chance for kids to taste, smell and learn about herbs and native plants. Lynsey also hosts worm composting workshops for City Farmer, Vancouver’s composting demonstration garden. Preschoolers get so excited about worms and the Daycare staff see this upcoming workshop as an excellent opportunity for our little ones to learn about organic gardening.

This is going to be an exciting school year and we are looking forward to further inspiring our kiddos by starting conversations about planting gardens and healthy eating using books, posters and activities.

Here’s to growing healthy kids together!

Sensory Gardens at our Daycare :) We have a worm composting station too! Kids of all ages love to learn about organic gardening. (Thanks Lynsey for all the awesomeness!!)

Adopting Play & Fitness as a Way of Life for Kids

Most children are not ready to play organized sports until they turn 6. Until that age, encourage your young ones to be active with free play—like running, climbing, and leaping!

More than just a chance to have fun, play is serious business when it comes to a child's health and development. To help keep play a key part of childhood, pediatricians may begin writing a "prescription for play" at every well-child visit through age 2.

Learning is best fueled by tapping into a child's natural urge to play, rather than just outside factors like test scores.

Play is also a great stress buster. In one study, 3- to 4-year-old children, anxious about entering preschool, were two times more likely to feel less stressed when allowed to play for 15 minutes, compared to classmates who listened to a story.

Giving your child plenty of opportunities to play is one of the best ways to help them grow into curious, creative, healthy, and happy adults equipped with the skills they need today.

Some examples of ways to do this:

Six Ways to Help Kids Get to Sleep

If getting your child to sleep is a battle of the wills, you are not alone! Approximately 30 percent of young children have sleep problems and as parents, it's important to explore the cause of their inability to fall asleep or stay asleep before resorting to unnecessary medications. 

Good quality, uninterrupted sleep is fundamental for healthy mental and physical development. Sleep has a pivotal role to play in mental health, mood, concentration, and supporting the immune system. 

Lack of sleep in childhood is linked to cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, depression, anxiety, cancer and more in adulthood so what we do now for our kids is only going to make their lives, and our lives, that much easier in the future.

The following are six things each family should start exploring and discussing to really figure out why our kids are not getting to sleep.

• Routine: This is No. 1 on your list. Kids thrive off of routine and if you are not consistent with it, their sleep will not be consistent. Eat dinner, do bath time, brush teeth and read books at the same time each night. When our kids and their bodies understand the routine, they are less likely to be resistant.

• Diet: Dinners should be at least two hours before lights out and packed full of nutrients so they can have that time to digest their food and get good sleep through the night.

• Nutrition: Avoid high carbohydrate meals such as pasta, bread and sweets. When we are feeding them sugar, expect a sugar rush and crash. If your child is a picky eater or is going through a "I only eat yellow things" consider speaking to your pediatrician about a multivitamin with B vitamins.

• Screens, tablets, video games: Screens, tablets and video games should not be used at least one hour before bedtime, or not at all. Screens are stimulating due to their blue light causing the brain to decrease serotonin and melatonin production and are addictive. Children experience a withdrawal after screen use, just as if you were coming off of a sugar or drug high, which is not ideal for bedtime or sleep.

• Bedroom: No screens, TVs or stimulating toys should be allowed in the bedroom. The temperature should be cool and there should be only gentle light allowed.

• Exercise/outside time: Kids are never getting enough outside time, especially our school-aged children. Start to incorporate about 30 minutes of outside time right when you get home or right after dinner.

• Other things to consider exploring with your pediatrician: food or environmental allergies, vitamin/mineral deficiency.

As you start to make some of these changes, stay firm with your decision and statements to your kids: If you say this is the last time you go into their room, you need to stand your ground and mean what you say. Making changes are hard but in the end, these changes we make for our kids now will only help them become more successful individuals later in life.

Top 10 Brain Boosting Foods For Kids

Food plays an important role in the development of a child’s brain. Children have very active and busy lives, now more than ever before. Their days are long and packed with schoolwork and after-school activities. The brain is constantly working to help fuel thoughts, movements, breathing, etc. Therefore, their bodies and brain need an adequate amount of fuel to stay energized and focused throughout the day. The brain consists of highly metabolically active tissue that requires a constant supply of calories and micronutrients to meet its energy needs. What kids eat or don’t eat can impact their overall development and cognitive function.

Here are 10 foods that can help kids be sharp and get the most out of their learning and activities:

1. Eggs: Eggs are a great source of high-quality protein and choline. Adequate protein is essential for proper growth and development.

   How to serve: Eggs can be served a number of different ways—scrambled, boiled, sunny-side up, over easy, etc. Pick your child’s favorite way of eating eggs and serve with whole grain toast for a hearty breakfast or an after-school snack.

2. Salmon: Fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc. contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain growth and development. Including at least two servings/week of omega-3-rich food can help support brain function. 

   How to serve: Introduce the kids to different types of fish early on, because eating fish/seafood can be an acquired taste for many. Try making salmon patties, tacos, or grilled sandwiches.

3. Green leafy vegetables: Spinach, kale, collards, etc., not only contain dietary fiber but are also packed with antioxidants and nutrients such as folic acid and lutein, which can help support brain development and memory.

   How to serve: Kids usually aren’t thrilled about eating their greens. So, you can try hiding spinach, kale, or other greens into a smoothie, quiche, pasta sauce, or omelet.

4. Blueberries: Blue and purple fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, purple grapes, and eggplant contain anthocyanins which are shown to support brain health and function by positively affecting memory and focus.

   How to serve: Add blueberries to whole grain pancakes and yogurt for a healthy breakfast.

5. Almonds: Almonds contain vitamin E, an important nutrient that aids with brain functions such as balance and coordination. How to serve: Swapping out peanut butter in sandwiches for almond butter is a great way of incorporating almonds in their diet. Another great way of including almonds is adding them in pesto sauce instead of pine nuts and serving over whole grain pasta.

6. Meat: Lean meats such as beef, chicken, turkey, etc., are a rich source of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is required for cell growth and development. How to serve: Try making beef kebobs or add shredded chicken or turkey in soups, stews, chili, or wraps.

7. Avocados: Avocados contain a rich supply of monounsaturated fatty acids or “healthy” fats that help deliver adequate nutrients to the brain. How to serve: Avocados are another food that can be an acquired taste. Adding avocado into a smoothie is a great way to mask the taste and add creaminess.

8. Beets: Beets are a good source of nitrates, which help support blood flow to the brain and promote mental performance. How to serve: When mixed into foods, beets can turn any food into a fun bright jewel color that’s fun to eat. Try mixing beets into hummus, pasta sauce, or hash browns.

9. Dark chocolate: A small amount (1-2 ounces) of dark chocolate is a great addition to the diet due to the high content of flavonols it contains. Flavonols are plant nutrients containing anti-oxidative properties that may help support memory and brain function.How to serve: Rather than choosing milk or white chocolate, look for at least 70% dark cocoa when selecting chocolate. Instead of giving your children hot chocolate from a mix, create a healthier version by mixing a tablespoon of dark cocoa powder with warm almond milk. Note: dark chocolate has caffeine, so don't give this to kids late in the day. 

10. Turmeric: Turmeric is an ancient spice that has been used for centuries in India. It contains curcumin, a nutrient that gives turmeric its yellow color. Curcumin contains anti-oxidative properties, which may help with brain function. How to serve: Create your version of “golden milk” by adding 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder to warm almond milk and honey to taste.

Back to School and Your Child's Yearly Well-Child Visit

Summer break is nearing it's end, making this a great time to schedule your child's yearly pediatric well-child visit before it's time to head back to school!

Doctor Visits

Regardless of your child's age, an annual well-child exam with your pediatrician is a good idea to add on the to-dos of your "back-to-school" checklist.

Scheduling preventative (vs urgent) yearly pediatrician exams before the school year starts is a convenient way to put the wellness exam on your family's schedule before the hectic year begins. 

Annual wellness exams can be important during your child's transitional years because vital changes take place in your child's physiology and this type of check in with your pediatrician or family doctor is also an opportunity for wellness guidance and advice. 

Depending on your child's age, an annual exam may entail blood pressure and heart monitoring as well as testing for diabetes, cholesterol and anemia. A pediatric vision screening may also be part of the annual check up. Pediatricians also like to use the annual visit to discuss nutrition and exercise and review your child's immunization records.

Continuity of care with your child's physician is truly an invaluable asset because having a long-term history gives the physician an awareness of your child's development progress and it's also helpful for preventing chronic diseases from emerging. 

Back-to-school check-ups are often the only visit most children have with their pediatrician annually. Having the opportunity to have a thorough physical exam is also a good time to address emotional and social concerns. As your child grows older, these questions may become more important as the adolescent years can be emotionally challenging for many kids because of peer and societal influences - drinking, smoking, drugs, depression and sexual activity are big teenage topics.

In summary, establishing a connection with your child's physician will be an invaluable asset as your child passes through years of physical and emotional development. Finding the time for balancing school life with social activities, extracurricular pursuits, and home life can be quite a challenge for kids. All the more reason to set aside time every year for your child to foster a relationship to see the pediatrician. 

Here's to your child's full potential!

Gingerbread House Daycare

Setting a Good Example for Your Child

Over the past 40 years that Gingerbread House Day Care has been taking care of the children in our community, we've talked to thousands of parents about what it's like for them to raise a healthy child. Our parents have shared with us their burning questions, greatest challenges, and successes! Of course Razia, our Day Care supervisor who's been there from the start and raised 3 successful children of her own, has taught us all plenty as well.

As parents, we know how important it is to give our kids a healthy start and the first several years of their lives is the most important. We also understand how hard a job parenting is! So we're using this platform to help share tips on raising a healthy preschooler. Please visit frequently and keep reading as we'll continue to share the latest information on a variety of topics to help our kids reach their fullest potential!

How Can I Set A Good Example for My Child?

Remember parents, you are your child's best role model. For this reason, try to make the best choices health wise for yourself and you'll be helping your child to do the same. She/he will learn healthy habits from you first and will want to imitate everything you say and do.

Clinical trials have confirmed that the person or persons a child spends most of his/her time with - parents, guardians, grandparents - will have the greatest influence on their behaviors like eating healthy, turning the TV off, and engaging in physical activity. Teachers and caregivers are not as influential. 

And parents, the great bonus of taking accountability for the health of your life and setting an example for your kids is more energy! More energy to be the best version of yourself so you can fulfill your life purpose:) 

How about trying these tips for involving your whole family to adopt healthier habits:

• A great way to start the day off right with your child is to eat breakfast with them. Try a whole grain cereal with sliced fruit or sprouted toast with almond butter and a banana. 
• Let your child help with healthy meal preparation. Children are more likely to try healthy foods if she’s involved in preparing them.
• Get active together. Go to the park on the weekends, take walks together, or kick a ball around in your backyard. This will get you both moving!

Best,

Gingerbread House Day Care Staff

Keeping Kids Healthy During the Cold and Flu Season

Cold weather doesn't cause colds or flu, but the viruses that do tend to be more common in the winter. Help keep your children healthy by teaching them to wash their hands frequently and sneeze or cough into the bend of an elbow. 

Here's some valuable tips to help you know when to keep your kids home from day care.

Cold and flu viruses are the most common cause of illness in day care facilities. Even if your child has had his/her immunizations, viruses can still effect their immune system and cause colds, sore throats, coughs, vomiting and diarrhea. 

It's not uncommon for children at any age in their first year of group care to experience more infections - possibly 8-12 colds more than if the child was cared for at home (without exposure to siblings or other kids). 

With consecutive years in day care, the frequency of cold and flu illness decreases because children develop immunity from virus exposure. Diarrhea typically occurs once or twice a year in a typical child. 

Child care recommendations for staying at home when a child comes down with a respiratory illness is as follows:

• Prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities

• Results in a need for care that is greater than staff members can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children

• Poses a risk of spread of harmful disease to others 

If a child is suffering with a respiratory illness (cough, runny nose, or sore throat) and fever, he/she should be excluded from their day care program. It's fine for the child to return after the fever associated with the respiratory symptoms has resolved (assuming no fever-reducing medicine is used to control the fever).

Day care staff are E.C.E certified and since Gingerbread House Day Care is a licensed facility, we make certain that all our teachers receive the recommended immunizations, including the flu vaccine. We require all our children that we care for to also receive the recommended immunizations set forth by their pediatrician or medical practitioner. 

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year and to practice good hygiene...wash your hands and rub them dry. This is a fundamental and it puts the health and safety of everyone in the day care facility first. 

To your child's health! 

Letting Your Kids be Kids and Have Fun: Holiday Parties and More

Dear parents, the shot above has gone viral on social media and I'm sharing it here as to simply remind you that when it comes to the holidays, it’s okay to let your kids (and yourself for that matter) relax and have a little fun. There’s plenty of time for rules and routines during the rest of the year!

As with our diets, it’s easy as parents to let ourselves veer off the routine over the holidays when we don’t have to get up early for work or our kids don’t have school. It's not uncommon to have parents let their younger kids skip their naps in exchange for important time with relatives and friends they haven't seen for awhile.

It's all about finding the balance and knowing your child's temperament: is she/he easy going or easily over-stimulated? Does your child need a lot of activity? These are the things to know and respect about our kids. This will help us plan their schedules and holiday parties, but also make us better parents the rest of the time.

Best wishes for a joyful holiday season!

Wondering How to Teach Kids to Eat Better? Especially During the Holidays?

Wondering how to teach kids to eat better, especially during the holidays? Here are 25 books that will nourish creativity, teach about healthy eating, and inspire a generation of activists! https://foodtank.com/news/2017/12/childrens-books-growing-minds/

Can you imagine if every school in this world had a garden? Whether a raised bed, vertical, hydro, or container garden, it would inspire a new generation of healthy eaters and lovers of local food! 

We need to teach our kids where the food they eat comes from. We also need to encourage them to try growing food, harvesting food, and preparing food. This will get them thinking about access to healthy food and health holistically. Because when everyone in a community has easy access to healthy food, this not only helps to reduce health inequities but also can strengthen a community’s economy and foster a healthier environment.

Eating locally produced foods, shopping at the farmers or local market is important for our children's health, the economy and climate change. By supporting local foods you are enabling farmers to keep more money in their pocket with every purchase you make & in turn they reinvest your contribution into the shared economy. This empowers and builds a foundation of health, connection & community resiliency!

I especially love this! This new children's book teaches children how to love imperfect produce while helping to reduce food waste through education: https://foodtank.com/news/2017/12/the-perfectly-wonky-carrot/

Best wishes for the holidays, see you all in 2018!

Gingerbread House DayCare teachers

Farro with Confetti Vegetables - Video

Source: Harvard Public Health

Needing some inspiration for your kids' school lunches? Well this colorful combination of vegetables with whole-grain farro should fit the bill! It's adaptable for all seasons and substituting olive oil for canola oil is the only edit I suggest. 

The instructions and nutritional information follow, or click on the link to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=38&v=m5bIPn8H1nY

Serves 8, as a side

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup farro, uncooked
• Seasonal vegetables, diced (4 vegetables make about 8-10 cups)
  • (Summer: zucchini, summer squash, bell pepper, eggplant)
  • (Winter: root vegetables: carrots, parsnips, beets; and winter squashes: butternut, acorn)
• ¼ cup canola, olive, or other healthy oil
• ¾ tablespoon pepper
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Fresh herbs as available, chopped

Preparation: 

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Dice all vegetables into even pieces and set aside.
3. Bring vegetable stock to a boil in a medium saucepan, then stir in the farro. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the farro is tender (Approximately 40 minutes. Check package for cooking instructions).
4. Meanwhile, toss the diced vegetables in canola oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place on a baking pan, and roast until browned in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Check every 10 minutes, and toss the vegetables so that they brown evenly.
5. Once the vegetables are fully roasted, fold them into the farro. Add the lemon juice and taste to adjust for seasoning. Add additional salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, to taste.

Nutrition information per serving (1/8 of recipe):

Using summer vegetables and canola oil:

181 calories, 8 g protein, 25 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 4 g sugar**, 0 g added sugar, 52 mg sodium, 365 mg potassium, 8 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono, 3 g poly, 0 g trans), 0 g cholesterol

Using winter vegetables and canola oil:

225 calories, 6 g protein, 36 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 7 g sugar**, 0 g added sugar, 128 mg sodium, 298 mg potassium, 7 g fat (0 g sat, 4 g mono, 3 g poly, 0 g trans), 0 mg cholesterol

** Naturally occurring sugar