Clip Art Source: Pete’s Power Point

Disclosure: I am a Better Beginnings ambassador. I receive compensation to write an article for them once a month.  The best thing is that I get to share with you great information about how children learn and how to encourage them in their learning.   All thoughts and opinions are my own based upon my experiences as a 30-year teacher and as a parent and grandparent.   The mission of  Better Beginnings is quality early education for all.  I firmly believe in that.

I’m sure many of you heard from your  parents that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Now, of course, you’re the one saying it to your kiddos who insist that they’d rather spend a few more minutes in bed, or you hear,  “I’m not hungry” as you are trying your best to get everyone out the door and on their way, including yourself probably.

It can be tough and you may be tempted to give in to a quick box of sugary cereal, a couple of doughnuts, or an overloaded smoothie.  Even worse, you may be allowing your older children to fill up on one of those overly sweet extra-large cups of coffee.  As a retired teacher who saw way too many students begin their school days with a sugar high only to fall flat by mid-morning, let me encourage you to look elsewhere for a better beginning to the day.

I know.  I know.  It’s nerve-wracking and sometimes a not-too-great start to your day when you have to set parameters on what is and what is not acceptable for breakfast.  But it can be done.  The earlier you start during those toddler years, the easier it will be on everyone in the family.  I promise.

Here are a few pointers that I have gained over the years that helped our mornings get off to a better start:

• Breakfast doesn’t have to be eggs, bacon/sausage, homemade biscuits.  In fact,  your kids might just enjoy a peanut butter or grilled cheese sandwich instead.  And that’s okay.  There’s lots of stick-to-your-ribs nutrition packed in those sandwiches.  Think outside the box.  Do your kids like baked sweet potatoes?  Nothing wrong with one for breakfast as long as it’s not loaded down with butter, cinnamon and sugar.  (If you start them out as little ones eating them plain and with the skin on, they’ll be much more likely to stay with that as they get older.  Trust me.)
• Plan ahead.  We used to allow our daughter to plan her breakfast menus (within the guidelines that she was given) and put it on a breakfast calendar.  The rules were simple.  Each daily menu had to include a protein, a fruit and a healthy carbohydrate.  Remember that peanut butter sandwich?  Instead of jelly, try  thin slices of banana or apple.  Even your preschoolers can put that together.  
• Prepare ahead.  This is another great way to get your children involved in planning for the start to their mornings.  Make up a batch of sausage-cheese balls, pigs-in-a-blanket, fiber-rich muffins or breakfast burritos and freeze them.  The more you let the kids be involved in the preparation, the more likely they will be to eat what is prepared.  Set the table the night before — which your youngsters can do.  Set alarms for a few minutes earlier — 10-15 minutes should be enough.
• Check out the breakfast offered at day care of school.  Most will have breakfast meal options available .  If you are on a limited income, ask about reduced or free options.  But also be aware of what the menu options are each day.  While there are nutritional standards, I’ve seen too many kids chuck the healthier options available for the sweet rolls, etc.  Educate your children about making good choices even in their meal choices.

It’s important for kids to have breakfast every day, but what they eat in the morning is crucial too. Choose foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein but low in added sugar.  This may boost their attention span, concentration, and memory all of which they need in order tto learn in school.

Kids who eat breakfast are more likely to get the important nutrients they need.  Research has shown that eating breakfast may to keep weight under control and lower blood cholesterol levels.  Kids who start their days with a good breakfast tend to have fewer absences from school.  (Source)

And while we’re at it, set a good example for your children by eating a good breakfast yourself.  You’ll ensure a much better beginning to your day as well.

Try making up a batch of these apple and oat bran muffins as an alternative to those doughnuts or other sweet rolls your kiddos may be reaching for at breakfast.  Not only do they taste great, the smell of them baking each morning may just be the kickstarted your kids’ appetites need to get them past that “I’m not hungry” you’ve been hearing.

What are some of your alternative breakfast ideas?  Please share in the comments.

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 You might also enjoy this muffin recipe from my friend Peter over at One World Plate.