Nutrition is Key
Why is nutrition so important to learning?
Good nutrition is crucial in early childhood because the brain and body develop more rapidly during this time than at any other stage. Proper nutrients provide the essential building blocks for cognitive function, physical growth, and immune health, ultimately shaping a child’s capacity to learn, focus, and thrive throughout their lifetime. At Monterey Bay Scholars Academy, students will enjoy balanced, home-made meals, featuring a variety of whole fruits and vegetables, using primarily organic ingredients.
- Brain Development and Cognitive Function: The brain undergoes immense growth during the early years. Key nutrients—such as iron, iodine, and Omega-3 fatty acids—are directly responsible for brain function, memory, and concentration. Without these, children may experience delayed cognitive development and have a harder time focusing and exploring their world.
- Energy Levels: Nutrient-dense foods, like whole grains and lean proteins, provide a steady, reliable stream of energy. This keeps children alert, active, and engaged during play and early learning activities, whereas highly processed foods or excessive sugars lead to energy crashes and poor attention spans.
- Physical Growth and Immunity: Essential vitamins, calcium, and protein build strong bones, muscles, and tissues. Furthermore, a well-nourished child has a robust immune system, meaning they miss fewer days of school or daycare due to illness.
- Establishing Lifelong Habits: Early eating experiences form the foundation of a child's future relationship with food. Children who are exposed to a wide variety of healthy foods early on are more likely to maintain those habits into adulthood, preventing long-term health issues like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Growing Healthy Bodies & Minds
How We Support Good Nutrition
- Offering a "Rainbow" of Fruits and Vegetables: We make meals colorful. Different colors of produce provide different essential vitamins and minerals. We serve fruits and vegetables at every meal and snack, and prepare them in various ways (e.g., roasted, pureed, or raw) so children can find the textures they prefer.
- Incorporating Healthy Fats: Omega-3 fatty acids are incredibly important for nerve cell development and memory. We support this by incorporating foods like salmon, avocados, walnuts, and flaxseeds into school meals and snacks.**
- Prioritizing Nutrient-Dense Snacks: Replacing packaged, sugary snacks with whole, fresh, and home-cooked foods that offer sustained energy and nutritional value helps promote a good learning experience. Examples include Greek yogurt with berries, apple slices with peanut butter, or hummus with whole-grain crackers and carrots.
- Make Food Fun and Interactive: We get kids involved in the cooking process as part of our curriculum, allowing them to participate in age-appropriate food preparation. Washing fruits and vegetables, mixing and measuring ingredients, and plating food items are a few ways we include students in the nutrition program at the Academy. Studies show that children are more likely to eat foods they help prepare.
- Sharing Meals Together: Eating healthy meals together and showing enthusiasm for nutritious foods normalizes healthy eating, and also promotes positive social interaction.
** Any student with food allergies or sensitivities will have a customized nutrition plan, in accordance with their needs, upon request by parents. No child will be excluded from our nutrition program due to food restrictions.