Breakfast in the classroom: a healthy routine 2026

Although the acquisition of good eating habits corresponds to the family environment, the time of breakfast or lunch at preschool is a daily routine that we must turn into one of the most important moments of the school day, since we can take advantage of that little time so that children learn many things.

Unlike the rest of the school stages, breakfast for the youngest members of the school takes place within the class and, thanks to this, more time is dedicated to it than is the case at later ages. This is why it allows us to work with the little ones on various educational contents, the main one of which is the acquisition of good eating habits, which will complement those acquired in the family environment.

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Breakfast time in the preschool classroom should be a quiet, pleasant and relaxing time for the little ones, which makes it ideal for interacting with the boys and girls.

It is a school activity in which not only the little ones eat, but, as it is a routine, it is used to acquire hygiene habits, since they are asked that before and after eating, they must wash their hands, they must be careful and clean when eating and pick up their things when they finish having lunch. Healthy eating habits are also worked on, as families are urged to make their children's lunches mostly small pieces of fruit, some yogurt-type dairy, or a small homemade sandwich.

It is very important that the weather is calm, and that we make the lunch routine a pleasant moment, since the objectives we want to achieve with this activity are more easily achieved in a calm environment. Furthermore, children imitate what they see around them and adults must provide resources so that their behavior is positive and work, in this way, on social skills, since they can interact in a relaxed way with each other, expanding and enriching their vocabulary and giving the little ones confidence when talking to other people. A great resource during lunch is to play music for them, they have a good time with it, and it relaxes the atmosphere.

Another important aspect of lunch time at school is that it provides us with continuous practice of autonomy, since it is they themselves who take the initiative to prepare and clear “the table.” The adult's role in this case is to help if necessary and guide them so that it becomes easier for them to do so.

What is needed for a good snack?

Sometimes, joint breakfasts and snacks can be organized, in which the little ones get involved in their preparation, always under the supervision of the adult. Ideal for these occasions are salad-type dishes (they can help wash vegetables), fruit salads (they can wash and peel some fruits that do not require any type of knife or instrument with which they could hurt themselves), sandwiches, orange juices (for which they will have to be squeezed), canapés not very elaborate, etc.

For the school to be able to carry out all these activities taking advantage of breakfast in class, the collaboration of families is very important, since without it it would not be possible to do so. The ideal is for children to have special backpacks to carry lunch, in which they carry a small placemat (which can be a large cloth napkin), a plastic cup, and a healthy lunch, which will normally be agreed upon with the school.

A good measure in this regard is to organize a day of the week dedicated to a type of food. Fruit day, snack day, cereal day, etc. You can also leave some days free so that the little ones can choose what they like the most.

At school it will always be recommended to avoid industrial pastries, although on special occasions it may be allowed, such as celebrating an anniversary in class. And, finally, remind families that the most important thing is collaboration with the school, since by working together children will acquire autonomy much sooner.

Olalla Haro, teacher and creator of the websiteActividadesInfantil.com