On The Menu
At Milestones Early Learning, mealtime is a chance to nourish growing bodies and minds. Our summer menu offers a variety of healthy proteins, carbohydrates, and fresh fruit and vegetables at every meal. Friends sit together to enjoy their food, sharing conversations about the tastes and textures they are exploring. We don’t hide fruit and veggies - children can see, identify, and understand what they’re eating, building a positive relationship with healthy foods from a young age.
The above is a sample menu. Your centre's seasonal menu is displayed on the wall by the kitchen and updated ever six weeks. Speak to your Centre Manager to find out more.
A Recipe to Try at Home
With summer in full swing, this recipe is the perfect way to beat the heat. Pavlova meets popsicle, in this fruity fusion that’s as cool as it gets. Prep this no-fuss treat a day ahead and get ready for a frosty escape!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup fresh passionfruit pulp
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1L Weiss Mango Sorbet, slightly softened
- 2L Blue Ribbon Vanilla Ice-cream
- 40g meringues, crushed
- Meringues, crushed, extra, to serve
Method
- Combine passionfruit pulp and sugar in a saucepan.
- Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens and the sugar dissolves. Let it cool.
- Grease and line a 20cm pan.
- Add softened sorbet to the pan, smooth it out, and freeze for 1 hour.
- Spoon softened ice cream over the sorbet and smooth it.
- Swirl in the passionfruit syrup, smooth the surface, and top with crushed meringue. Freeze for 45 minutes to firm up.
- Score the top into 16 squares and insert sticks.
- Freeze for 8 hours or overnight. Loosen with a knife and remove from the pan using the paper.
- Cut into 16 squares using a sharp knife. Serve the pavlova pops topped with extra crushed meringue.
Meet Our Centre Cook
Each day, our creative and innovative Centre Cooks prepare a wide variety of nutritious meals and purees for the children and babies in our centres.
Each meal is healthy and delicious, and aligned with children's daily nutritional needs. They also ensure any individual cultural or dietary requirements are being met too.
Our Centre Cooks are committed to making healthy habits fun. They love to take time to involve the children in meal preparation and healthy food education, plus they hold regular cooking classes!
Note: A small number of our centres do not provide meals, however the Centre Manager will let you know when you meet the team prior to enrolment.
"Early life nutrition is crucial for brain development, supporting critical processes such as cell proliferation, neurotransmitter metabolism, and synaptic plasticity, which influence both immediate cognitive abilities and long-term mental health outcomes."
Cambridge University Press, 2022
How Proper Nutrition Helps Brain Development
Did you know that 90% of a child's brain development occurs before they turn five years old? This staggering fact underscores the importance of early childhood as a crucial period for cognitive growth and development. During these formative years, the brain undergoes rapid changes, forming neural connections at an astounding rate. Proper nutrition plays a pivotal role in supporting this critical developmental phase. This is why at Milestones Early Learning, we are committed to providing children with nutritiously balanced meals, prepared fresh daily.
The Science Behind Early Brain Development
From birth to age five, a child’s brain grows more than at any other time in their life. This period is characterized by the formation of trillions of synapses, which are essential for learning and cognitive function. By age two, a child's brain is already 80% of its adult size, and by age five, it reaches 90% of its adult volume (Cambridge).
Essential Nutrients for Brain Development
- Proteins and Amino Acids: These are the building blocks of brain cells and neurotransmitters, crucial for cell growth and repair.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is vital for brain structure and function, aiding in cognitive processes and neuronal communication.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Key nutrients like iron, zinc, iodine, and B vitamins support cognitive development. Iron, for instance, is essential for myelination and the development of the hippocampus, which is associated with memory and learning (Frontiers) (Oxford Academic).
- Antioxidants: Found in fruits and vegetables, antioxidants protect brain cells from damage and support overall brain health.
Impact of Nutrition on Cognitive and Behavioural Development
Proper nutrition in early childhood not only supports physical growth but also significantly influences cognitive abilities and behavioural outcomes. Deficiencies in essential nutrients can lead to impaired cognitive development, attention issues, and long-term health problems. For example, iron deficiency in infancy is linked to long-term cognitive deficits and socio-emotional challenges (Cambridge).
Long-term Benefits of Proper Nutrition
Ensuring that children receive adequate nutrition during their early years has lasting benefits. Studies show that children with proper nutritional support tend to perform better academically, have higher IQs, and exhibit improved social skills later in life. Additionally, good nutrition helps prevent chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, which can indirectly affect cognitive function and overall brain health.
Practical Tips for Parents
- Provide a Balanced Diet: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your child's diet.
- Encourage Hydration: Ensure your child drinks plenty of water, as dehydration can affect cognitive function.
- Limit Processed Foods: Avoid excessive sugar and unhealthy fats that can negatively impact brain development.
Healthy Meals at Milestones
The first five years of life are a critical window for brain development, with nutrition playing a fundamental role in shaping a child’s cognitive abilities and overall health. At Milestones we prioritise providing a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, to support children's brain development and set the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
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