Ready - Set - Snack
"Ready-Set-Snack" is a preschool preparatory activities group that focuses on preschool lunch skills.  Access lunch boxes, opening container, baggies and food items independently.  Using drink boxes, cups, and straws.

Hand Washing

Children are ready to learn about hand washing when they are still very young. Most children develop the ability to wash their hands independently by about three years of age.

  • Build it into your child's routine. Before every snack and meal, announce that it's time to wash your hands. Do the same after your preschooler goes to the bathroom or sneezes into her hands. Eventually, they link these moments to the need for a good lathering.
  • Make it accessible. Provide a step stool next to the sink, so your child can reach the faucet. That way she/he won't have to wait for your help to get washing.
  • Use your words. Talk about the importance of handwashing and how all the soap and water is working together to remove bad bugs from her hands. Read books about hygiene to illustrate the point,

Straw Drinking

Should your little one be using a sippy cup? Many professional says no for two reasons:
  1. Sugar from milk and juice stays on baby’s teeth longer, which could cause cavities or tooth decay.
  2. Sippy cups also restrict tongue and mouth movement. This can limit a child’s ability to develop a more mature swallow.

it is recommend starting to practice with a straw cup at 10 months of age. "Focus on providing it at meals with water due to the mess. Once they do well, you can add milk," she said. Wood said that for proper speech development, "Children should begin transitioning away from a bottle at 12 months, and a great next step is a straw cup."

Snacking

Ever wondered how moms really get their kids to eat their veggies? We asked several moms what they do to make sure veggies are a part of their kids’ diets every day. We hope you’ll try some of these real life solutions during your next meal or snack time!

  • 1. Keep exposing them to vegetables ...
  • 2. Get them involved with shopping and preparation 
  • 3. Use foods they like as vehicles for vegetables 
  • 4. Use fun shapes and brightly colored serving dishes 
  • 5. Add veggies to sauces, oatmeal, smoothies, muffins, meatballs, and more 
  • 6. Be selective about packaged foods with veggies