Parents who are most careful about the health of their babies tend to become neglectful after babyhood is past and the children reach preschool age. And yet, it is during this period that the basis is laid for later health and efficiency in their mental and physical life. These children need health care as much as do babies. The preschool years, which is from two to six years, cover the period when many children’s diseases tend to manifest themselves. This is also a time of rapid physical and mental growth. So to be resistant to disease in later life, the child must be well-nourished during this period.
At about the age of two years a child becomes more or less independent and will often express his or her likes and dislikes in an emphatic manner. At this time it is most important that the child not be allowed to drift into bad eating habits. Bad eating habits result in malnutrition.
A child who learns to eat wholesome food makes the best start in life.
Certain fundamental principles must be observed regarding the diet. An adequate diet must contain, in suitable amounts, tissue-building materials known as protein, minerals, carbohydrates, fat and the necessary accessory substances known as vitamins.
A child carefully fed in accordance with his or her needs should receive everyday at least one food from each of the following food groups: (a) protein food-milk, eggs, meat, tokwa and other veggie products, (b) energy food-rice, oat meal, champorado, corn, and some root crops, (c) vitamin and mineral food –papaya, banana, apple, orange, lanzones, pechay, gabi leaves and other fruits and vegetables.
SAMPLE MENU FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Breakfast Lunch Supper
Papaya ripe sliced Soup alphabet Noodle soup
Oatmeal Rice Tinola
Bread with peanut butter Banana Rice
Boiled egg Scrambled tofu Menudo
Milk Squash guisado Maja Blanca
Calamansi juice Milk
By: Alicia B. Reyes | Teacher III | Limay Elementary School | Limay, Bataan
