Packing a lunch is a skill kids can learn, but they need your help. It pays off, though: Your kid gains some independence and learns about how to put together a healthy meal. Best of all, you have one less thing to do in the morning.
Photo by Mike Mozart.
Getting your child on board with the idea is key, Casey Seidenberg writes at the Washington Post. She gives a step-by-step process, which starts with a brainstorming session. Make a list with your child of the foods they like to eat, and involve them in the grocery shopping. You can even pick out a shiny new lunchbox to amp up their excitement.
Once you’ve got the ingredients, you need to set your kid up for success. Keep everything where they can reach it, show them how to fill spill-proof containers and put a cheat sheet on the fridge to remind them how to build a healthy lunch. Seidenberg’s rule is one protein, one veggie, one fruit, one optional side and a water bottle. It’s similar to the lunch-packing advice we recommend that parents master, but adapted so your kid can learn it too. Check out the link below for all the details.
Yes, Your Kids Can and Should Pack Their Own Lunches [Washington Post via National Post]
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