3 Behaviors We Can All Learn From Kindergartners

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Gone are the days when you could gain favor with the teacher by bringing them an apple!

My oldest child started Kindergarten this year and I am so happy to have the opportunity to volunteer in her class.  Not only does it make her feel more secure knowing I am sometimes in her classroom but it helps me understand her world during the hours she is away from me.

It also gives me the chance to listen in on the lessons and hear how the teacher and students interact.  Each week I hear the same phrases as the teacher guides the students with regard to their behavior: "Follow the rules", "Be on task", "Make a better choice".

Eating is a behavior and it struck me that the same guidelines the teacher uses for her student's classroom behavior apply to eating behavior too.

"Follow the Rules"

Trying to teach 24 children at the same time means there has to be classroom rules or it would be chaos and no-one would ever learn anything!

There are healthy eating 'rules' too, which help us learn which foods will nourish our bodies and how much of them we need to eat.  These come in the form of The Food Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 which explain that foods can be divided into different food groups and then guidelines given for how much of each food group to eat daily for health.

MyPyramid.gov

"Be On Task"

To the kindergartners this means concentrating on the work they have been assigned to do, finishing it on time and doing it to the best of their ability.

When it comes to eating, 'being on task' means concentrating solely on eating - not watching TV, working or multi-tasking at the same time!  This is often referred to as 'mindful eating'.  Eat meals & snacks on time to prevent hunger setting in and making you grab the nearest food. Finally, 'be on task' by choosing the healthiest food to the best of your ability, budget & availability.

If you 'd like more information about what foods to eat for health, refer to the Food Pyramid & Dietary Guidelines above, visit the American Dietetic Association    or Kids Eat Right
websites or speak with a Dietitian.

"Make a Better Choice"

It's human nature to sometimes bend the rules or make mistakes and kindergartners are no exception.  When this happens my daughter's teacher says "Next time try & make a better choice". 

So when you feel you've overindulged or eaten something you wish you hadn't - be like a kindergartner and learn from your experience.  Ask yourself why you made the choice you now regret and next time aim to 'make a better choice'.

With thanks to Mrs H for her 'words of wisdom'!