Fuelling the under-5s to be fit for the chase
Thing is though, some of these kids and many kids throughout New Zealand arrive at childcare centres without having had any breakfast, and with hardly anything in their lunchboxes. This means minds that should be full of energy and curiosity are instead tired and uninterested. There are even stories of youngsters passing out from hunger.
Kids that will be the future of New Zealand, from all parts of New Zealand, who haven’t even turned five yet, are slapped with the reality of Kiwi poverty.
My mac ‘n’ cheese is more important than you might think.
Along with my attempt at a hot lunch – closely monitored by Mama’s eagle eye – each kid also gets fresh fruit and yoghurt, and a new pair of KidsCan shoes and a rain coat.
The lunch meal changes daily with help from sponsors like Subway and Countdown, who are aware of the need for healthy food ideas that can be prepared for large numbers in a quick and easy manner. Because as we know, kids aren’t the most patient little buggers.
Talking of which . . .
‘‘Hurry up and come play!’’
‘‘I’m trying not to burn your lunch. I’ll be there soon!’’
Ear-to-ear smiles about this big, goofy, bearded man who was keen for a run around, seemed to spread thick and fast across every kid’s face. Energy levels were high. No signs of fainting here.
These kids have been part of the new programme for a few months, they probably even know when a dish is slightly underdone. I knew I’d better deliver the goods.
With a few slaps on the wrist from Mama to stop me ‘‘tastetesting’’, we started serving out my mac ‘n’ cheese masterpiece and soon see focused minds laser-in on the most important thing in the room. Not the goofy, bearded guy – but the food. The fuel.
A basic a lot of us take for granted is soon fueling the eager minds of 30 kids. It sounds so simple.
And it is. KidsCan wants to roll out their programmes to any early childhood centre in New Zealand that needs help – and, as cheesy as it sounds, kids are our future and all deserve to have an equal start to life. Hunger is never the child’s fault. Well, unless this big kid had burned Rosebank Early Childhood Centre’s lunch. But I didn’t – and I even got a high-five from Mama.