Green Vegetables

Green vegetables for toddlers and preschoolers seems to be a topic on every adult’s mind at some time.

Parents and child care providers can experience the “joys” of picky eaters. Toddlers can be picky eaters. Developmentally, toddlers may poke at their food due to needing less food and always being on the go. Toddlers may prefer to snack throughout the day since it fits their busy lifestyle. Preschoolers like to have “fun” with their foods. Provide times to make veggie faces, call broccoli “trees”, count the peas, and look on Pinterest for some fun fun creative ideas.

Have you noticed a toddler misbehaving or acting out more the closer it gets to noon and again in the middle of the afternoon? Observe and see if the behavior is worse due to going without food.  Having a snack may decrease this unwanted behavior.

Keep a few veggies around to provide healthy options for snacks. Children need to see green veggies available consistently.  Since it is close to March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, green veggies are featured! 

Important tip: Make sure YOU are excited about the green veggies!

With cucumbers talk about:

the shape                    the outside texture                the inside texture

compare the sizes           the shades of green color           count the seeds         first letter is?

Peas are wonderful cold or warm. With peas you can

balance peas on a spoon      count how many peas on the spoon      compare hot/cold peas

compare shapes of individual peas                   talk about texture          use a fork to get peas

first letter is?                   last letter is?             crunchy or soft?

Use a variety of lettuce and talk about

how long each is – you could measure     count     sort            shapes             compare colors

taste test each one – same or different?              leaves look like?                first letter is?

With spinach, I like to sing the Popeye the Sailor song. Making a can of spinach helps to imitate Popeye and eat more spinach! Also, take time to

measure        compare leaves          first letter is?        count how many        taste cold/cooked

which is upside down and right side up?                    what’s the back and the top?

I love broccoli. I call them “trees”. Enjoy broccoli by

comparing sizes               comparing tops           count how many             first letter is?

light green vs dark green                          cold/hot broccoli         dip or eat with cheese/yogurt

Feta cheese – I included it just because of the green color and my youngest daughter loves this cheese! Learning happens with

talk about colors     compare small/medium/large           how many on your spoon?

count the number on your plate                  shapes look like (similar to looking at clouds

try it cold/hot            first letter is?             other letters are….         where does it come from?

diversity – no two are exactly alike                         predict/anticipate the taste

Lettuce that is common to salads often comes with some shredded carrots or cabbage. It’s a good time to talk about

the sizes       the shapes             which are harder           which breaks and which tears

the first letter is?   the colors are?           count how many         do they fit on my fork/spoon

With a variety, each child can make their own mixed salad and enjoy!

Enjoy!
Cathie