4.1. Poor diet on children’s health development in the:

Short term

Mood.

Carbohydrates are typically vilified in current diet fads but the truth is that they may be incredibly healthy if eaten properly. An amino acid called tryptophan helps serotonin synthesize, a mood enhancing neurotransmitter, which is one of the most essential benefits of healthy carbs, (Birch et al, 2007).

Energy.

Energy is provided by complex carbs, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids, all of which work together to keep you going throughout the day. Low energy levels and, in certain cases, concentration problems are inevitable when you eat an unbalanced diet.

Indigestion.

Everybody has experienced the discomfort of indigestion, heartburn, or acid reflux after eating a large meal. The most prevalent culprits are fatty foods, alcohol, and an overabundance of citrus fruits.

Long term.

Mental health 

Omega 3 fatty acids, on the other hand, are useful to patients with anxiety and mood disorders. Most experts agree that a well balanced, healthful diet can help you manage mental health difficulties, (Keane et al, 2014).

Bones and teeth

Calcium is necessary for the health of these vital organ systems. There are plenty of good sources of minerals to be found in dairy, cruciferous vegetables, and fish. The health of your teeth and gums is essential to your overall health.

Heart and circulatory systems

Diet and exercise are the most effective ways to prevent cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States and around the world.

5.1. Identify reasons for:

Special dietary requirements

Children may require special diets for several reasons. These might range from lifestyle preferences to medical conditions that may demand particular dietary regimens, (Oktadiana et al, 2020).

Lifestyle choices

Parents who wish their child to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet should have that request honored by the school.

Religious requirement

Others forbid certain types of meat from being consumed, while still others specify how the flesh should be slaughtered.

Requirements of cultural diversity

Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday are just one example of a particular cuisine that many cultures have developed. Sort the ethnic variations in the diet youve been given and create a table

Disorders

There are a variety of conditions that can affect children, including food allergies, food intolerances, diabetes, overweight/underweight children, and children who have digestive or chewing problems.

Keeping and sharing coherent records with regard to special dietary requirements.

Practitioners need to be knowledgeable of all relevant laws and regulations to be effective. To comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines, the practitioner should inquire about a childs nutritional preferences or food allergies before admitting them and should ensure that the child has a contact number in case of an emergency. These professionals must take into account their parents interests, such as cultural or religious preferences.

All adults who work with children will need to be aware of this material, which should be updated regularly by practitioners.

For the practitioner to be fully informed, its vital to collect this data. The practitioner will utilize this information to guarantee the safety of all children if a kid has lactose intolerance and needs alternatives to milk while snacking or eating or participating in food activities.

Practitioners may need to be aware of any cultural constraints if a child brings in sweets as a birthday treat to share with the class, since some sweets containing gelatin may not be allowed.

Children with anaphylactic responses to peanuts must also be made aware of by a health care professional. The practitioner must know what to do in such a case.

The information must be shared with anyone who works with children.

5.2. Role of the EYP in meeting children’s individual dietary requirements and preferences.

Parents must be consulted for practitioners to be aware of any allergies or cultural or religious needs. These considerations should be taken into account while offering refreshments or planning a food related activity. Always keep in mind the importance of healthy food for childrens development.

Teaching children to eat three little meals at mealtimes and three snacks a day. Avoid giving youngsters high calorie snacks. Give fruits such as carrot sticks or celery sticks instead of biscuits, and dont use sugary snacks like cookies. Give milk and stay away from sugary beverages. Snacks and meals must be consumed at the dining table, (Lloyd Williams et al, 2011).

Child supervision is essential when eating or snacking. To prevent choking, they should be closely supervised to ensure that the right amount of food is consumed. Variety of cuisine and a choice of foods for youngsters.

Promote healthy eating by serving as a role model. Children will emulate you if you demonstrate good behavior, for example, if you show how much you enjoy eating celery or carrot sticks. In the same way, if you show your children that you despise broccoli, they will observe and copy.

Food can be served creatively and colorfully to promote appetite, for as using different shapes of potato chips or making the food on the plate look like a face. To make it easier to consume, cut the meat into little pieces that can be picked up with a fork or finger.

5.3. Benefits of working in partnership with parents/carers in relation to special dietary requirements.

All individuals who work with children should aim to develop a strong relationship with the childs parents. The provision of food and beverages is very important. When we learn about the individual needs of each child, we show the parents that we care about their children and respect their desires. When we work closely with the parents of children with major medical conditions or allergies, such as diabetes, we can reassure them. So the child can make use of the play and educational opportunities provided to him or her. Due to a good relationship with the parents, it is also feasible to exchange information with the setting when the child hasnt eaten breakfast or is fussy about certain foods, (Oktadiana et al, 2020).

Practitioners must keep in mind that the childs parents/caregivers are the experts. Because of this, practitioners must interact closely with parents or caregivers. Assisting with this goal is an open door policy.

In addition, parents/caregivers can keep practitioners up to date on changes in dietary conditions, explain their childs condition to practitioners and educate them on the disease, and offer suggestions for alternative meals

Another benefit of having a good relationship with parents is that they are more likely to tell us about any mealtime issues they are having. Even if early childhood educators arent nutrition experts, they can link parents to other resources or specialists who are.

6.1. Plan an activity to support healthy eating in own setting.

6.2. Implement an activity to support healthy eating in own setting.

6.3. Reflect on own role when supporting healthy eating in own setting.

To aid babies and children in their physical and mental growth, any sort of physical activity or body movement is needed. Physical activity and practice help children build confidence, balance, coordination and awareness of their space. Physical activity can also assist strengthen endurance, establish social skills and acquire problem solving. Reflection of the activity is to promote children to eat a healthy meal and identifying healthy meal items. For children especially this activity is very necessary and important.

Take account of the preceding actions and examine how the activities further encourage development and growth:

When toddlers identifying a healthy meal they learn many things like children learn new knowledge about vegetables and fruits.  At the same time, the muscles of your leg, arm and small muscles of your hands and finger are strengthened.

6.4. Make recommendations for healthy eating in your own setting.

Some recommendations are following:

1. Assisting the children with their meals.
2. Being positive about the healthy things that the youngsters are eating.
3. Discouragement of picky eaters to try different food
4. When it comes to food, be a role model.
5. Through discussions, questions, games, and activities, teach children about healthy eating.

References

Birch et al. (2007). Influences on the development of childrens eating behaviours: from infancy to adolescence. . Canadian journal of dietetic practice and research: a publication of Dietitians of Canada= Revue canadienne de la pratique et de la recherche en dietetique: une publication des Dietetistes du Canada, 68(1), s1.

Keane et al. (2014). Diet, physical activity, lifestyle behaviors, and prevalence of childhood obesity in Irish children: The Cork Children’s Lifestyle Study Protocol. . The Cork Children’s Lifestyle Study Protocol. JMIR research protocols, 3(3), e44.

Lloyd Williams et al. (2011). Young childrens food in Liverpool day care settings: a qualitative study of pre school nutrition policy and practice. Public health nutrition, 14(10), 1858 1866.

Oktadiana et al. (2020). Special dietary requirements: Restaurant sector responses across six tourist cities. . International Journal of Tourism Research, 22(4), 507 517.