This week, we’re celebrating Week of the Young Child—a national spotlight on how young children learn and grow best. Today is Tasty Tuesday, reminding us that learning happens not just through books and play, but also through shared meals, cooking together, and exploring new foods.
Healthy eating habits start early—and they start with connection. From offering veggies in fun, no-pressure ways to letting kids help in the kitchen, every moment at the table is an opportunity to build lifelong skills.
Here are 7 simple ways to support healthy eating habits at home:
Remove the pressure – Let kids decide what and how much to eat from what’s served. This encourages trust and a positive relationship with food.
Serve veggies early and often – Repetition helps! Start with small portions of plain veggies and grow from there.
Keep trying – Children might need to see a food many times before accepting it. Pair new veggies with a favorite food.
Mix it up – Try roasting instead of steaming. Use dips or fun seasonings. Offer raw veggie sticks for crunch and variety.
Encourage your child to help – Kids love to be part of the process! Let them wash, tear, or arrange veggies.
Show it or grow it – Kids are more curious when they see where food comes from. Plant seeds or explore the produce section together.
Be a role model – Eat the veggies with them! Your child watches what you do more than what you say.
At SKCDC, our Head Start and Early Head Start programs support healthy habits from the very start—with meals, snacks, and experiences that build both bodies and confidence. Food is love, learning, and community all rolled into one!
