First Child Is Starting All Day Kindergarten, What Kind of Lunch to Provide?

I was a teacher in an elementary school and we always had Teaching Assistants at lunch with the kids, so there were always people available to open packages. I wouldn't worry about carrying a lunch tray. I've seen even the littlest kindergartners carry them. I would worry more about her not liking the lunch, so maybe send a lunch at first and see if she asks to buy lunch later. I would also suggest not sending peanut butter or peanut products, since a lot of schools now don't want you to send peanut butter because of allergies. The school I worked at had a separate table for the kids with peanut allergies but a lot of schools are banning them altogether. If you're concerned about opening packages, you could open them and tape them shut so they are easier to open. You could also work on teaching her now how to open them.

At our school, my daughter went to all day kindergarden last year, they have aides so are there just to help the kids open up milk cartons, thermos bottles, etc. Ask the school, my daughter also didn't really like to buy her lunch so she took her lunch most every day and then just bought milk. Trust me you are not the first mom to ask "stupid" questions, I asked them all the time, I didn't have my daughter until I was 40 and most of the other moms had older kids also so I thought I walking around the only one who doesn't know what's going on. Your good, she'll have a great time. Good luck.

I have 3 kids, a junior, a freshman, and a second grader. All of my kids preferred different things. My older two didn't mind a sandwich, some chips, fruit, and a drink. We always made sure to get 100% juice, though. Read the label to make sure what your getting. 100% fruit snacks like Welch's fruit snacks were a huge hit too. My youngest hates having a sandwich in his lunchbox. So, we pack cheese, apple sauce, crackers, some kind of fruit and a drink. This provides healthy food and good fuel for the middle of the day. Whatever you do, DON'T buy those junky lunchables. They are so bad for kids. People get them for the convenience, but they are chocked full of sodium and fat. I realized that the kids really liked smaller things that they could eat fairly easily. Mine even likes a little dried granola and yogurt. Don't forget the ice pack, though. Good luck and remember to ask your daughter what she wants. She'll let you know. She'll also see things that other kids have that she might like to try.

Hi D.

First, my love and thoughts go out to you. I am sorry to hear about your husband's death.

About your daughter, I have a child in 3rd grade and one in 2nd. I agree, some of the packaged foods are hard and frustrating for the children to open. My children still have some problems opening the caps on the water bottles, so this year I bought a stainless steel thermos. I bought that because some of the plastic containers are questionable regarding health.
I do not know if your school has lunch and snack for kindergarten. Ours did, so for drink I pack a water for lunch and for snack I packed an organic juice box. To eat, I would pack organic turkey or pbj or chicken fingers all cut up and in a container. I would send a fruit cut up and some type of side snack like organic pretzel sticks or corn chips. For snack a health bar like a cliff bar.
Hope this helps
L.

I worked at my daughter's pre-k and although it could be very time consuming, we would open packages, heat up foods, open juice boxes, etc. The only problem we had was when a parent would just send their child with a can of raviolis or something like that - the other thing we really appreciated was when the parent would cut up the food before sending it to school. As far as buying lunch, I worried about my daughter but they seem to manage with the trays. It's such a big step for them to be making their way to kindergarten. My youngest misses the cut off date so I have another year of pre-k but one suggestion for lunch that has always been a big hit here was cookie cutter sandwiches that u can also make jello jigglers out of - my oldest loves spelling her name with them & all of the children in her school wanted me to make theirs too! Good luck!

HI D.,

What an exciting milestone, good luck on the start of the school year!
I work in an elementary school, and while there are cafeteria monitors who will assist children in opening things, keep in mind that there's often one monitor for every class or two classes and they're also doing tasks such as monitoring the lunch line so there can be a wait for help.
Easy lunches are a sandwich, a drink (maybe a juice box or small water bottle, or a rubbermaid washable drink container with milk/juice/water, and a fruit and a snack item. My suggestion would be to practice now, get her as self sufficient over the next week with the type of beverage containers and snack items you'll be sending. Pack her lunch box now like you will every day for school. One of the most important things that you can do for your child before they start full day school is to train them to eat lunch in 20 minutes or less. The noise and hectic atmosphere in the cafeteria, the excitement of eating (and chatting!) with friends often results in the younger kids not eating much lunch so this is something I always suggest to parents.
Good luck and I hope that the school year gets off to a wonderful start!

If it's easier or you prefer to buy the lunches the school makes then don't worry about your little one. I have a 5 yr old boy in Kindergarten. They help them with their lunches. Most classes have aids that are there to assist with things just like that. They understand the children's age level and will take good care of your daughter and her lunch needs. So just do what is easier for you. She will be fine. As far as juice goes, Juicy Juice juice boxes usually are fine. Any kind of juice box. But most school have milk available for purchase also. Good luck!!

When my 4 year old was at summer camp this year i had to send a lunch. I packed simple: A sandwich (usually jelly or PB&J which is what she liked) a juice box and a snack. Juice boxes can be frozen and used as ice packs if they will melt for lunch. Otherwise you can get the little ice packs for lunch bags. An insulated bag might be a good investment. Might I suggest asking your child what they want for lunch and let them be involved. If you want to do lunchable type prepackaged stuff.. why not get your own lunchmeat from the deli. You can get a low salt ham for example. Cut that into shapes yourself and provide some unsatled crackers or whole grain ones. A warm lunch is best served ina n insulated thermos. i am sure that someone would help your child if she asked for it
Relax mom.. her daddy is watching over her as one of her angels

D.:

My daughter is starting full day Kinder next week too. I have an older son, so I am much more at ease with the routines, but still nervous for my 'baby' to be on her own:)

In our school, depending on the size of the class there may be an aide that can assist the kids at snack time. Out Kinder lunch is separate, so that makes it easier for them to adjust to carrying trays, plus there is also a lunch aide and mom volumteers whose sole purpose is to make sure that the kids can open their lunches and drinks.

The school office can give you more information--you won't be the first one to ask.

Good luck- M.

She is not to little to carry a lunch tray. I'm sure at first she will wiggle it some and maybe spill something, but she will learn quick. Those prepackaged lunches are full of preservatives and salt and I wouldnt recommend them. A nice sandwich, fruit and cookie will do nicely. Most schools have aides and/or teachers walking around at lunch to help little ones.
Dont worry Mom she will be fine. Its you that will be a wreck. LOL

Maybe a sandwich, a healthy snack like a piece of fruit and a juice box or a carton of milk.

I have lots of experience in this area since I taught kind. for 8 years and 1st grade for 25 and still going strong. Your child will have lots of help from teachers and aides but may have to wait her turn to get it. For a slow eater this takes away her time to get nourishment. Let the teacher know if DD eats slowly so she can get help early in the lunch period. I didn't give my own children school lunches. But they got to buy on pizza day or the annual Thanksgiving feast. Send what your DD likes to eat, preferably food that does not need heating. Not all schools will do that, anyhow. She can bring lunch but buy milk. And don't go for those pre-packaged lunches sold in the supermarket. They are not the fuel your DD needs to go at top speed. The kind of gas you put in the car determines how well the car runs. If there are questions call right away. Teachers are happy to answer slly questions. We've had them ourselves as moms and we want the best for our students. Have a great time.

You're asking us whether or not your five year old can open the prepackaged food?
Wouldn't you know that one?
I mean if you're giving her something you gave her before give to her in the package and she if she can open it.

You're asking us whether the school your five year old is going to helps the little ones?
You didn't ask them?
You can still ask as majority of the schools are open but they are on a summer schedule.
You can ask the day of as well.

Give her a water bottle if you don't want her annoying her teachers and bouncing off the walls. And she will be very thirsty making all those new friends.

I've been sending my daughter to school with her lunch since kindergarten and I recommend it. Everything in school including the kids will be so new, but mommies lunch will be the same. My daugther really appreciated it. And school lunches serve a lot of junk. You can keep her (if you've already begun) in the habit of eating healthy.

I was horrified when my son wanted school lunch. I thought he's so little, how will he get the try, etc. I went to Catholic school so our only option was to bring lunch or go home for lunch. But sure enough, the same way he walked through the school yard every morning alone, he was able to get himself lunch. Now, yes not all the things they serve are the best, but you know what? I ask him every day what he ate, and surprisingly he almost always makes the healthy choice. He only drinks regular milk instead of chocolate, always gets fruit, and if really doesn't like the hot lunch he'll get a cheese sandwich...which is not the end of the world. He has also tried other things that he wouldn't try at home, so I like letting him do his own thing. Once in a while he'll want something from home, and if so I pack it for him.

Don't stress about it! And also ask her what she wants...you may just be surprised at some of her choices!

Check out www.laptoplunches.com
My kids love these lunch boxes, and I do too. It's a design that reduces waste, and promotes healthy lunches.
I'm all in favor of not using packaged foods, and providing a home made lunch that is healthy.
Oh, these lunch boxes are excellent quality. I'd suggest getting the ice pack that they sell with it, it fits perfectly.
Good luck!
K.

Hi D.,

All your concerns are right on target.

I think its best to send a lunch rather than have them purchase one at school. It's so important that she eats lunch each day, and there's a good chance that she won't like some of the foods provided by the school.

Pack what she likes and what you know she'll eat. When my daughters were that age, they wouldn't eat sandwichs. I would cut up some meat (leftover chicken, turkey or ham or even deli meats) into cubes along with some cheese cut into some cubes. A few other suggestions: crackers, dried fruit, cheese sticks, bread sticks, cereal. I knew there was a good chance any fruit I sent would wind up in the garbage, so I never sent it and saved that for their snack when they came home.

I used small tuperware containers. My kids could easily open them without help and the food didn't get crushed.

I would avoid the juice boxes and bags. There very difficult for little fingers to open. You may want to send a water bottle. I bought a thermos and sent my daughter with juice and lots of ice. You may also want to consider buying milk from the school.

There are usually adults around to help. However, keep in mind that there's usually a large ratio of kids to adults and she may not get the help she needs on a timely basis.

You may want to call your daughter's teacher, or even stop by the school a few days before it starts to discuss your concerns.

Good luck.

So sorry to hear about your husband.
Also good luck with the kids.
I myself have an almost five year old who will be starting kindergarten and he will be there all day also. He is by far the pickiest eater in the world sp I am just hoping that when he sees his peers in the lunch room eat he will start eating as well. So I would try giving a shot at the school lunch first and if they are not fans of that then start packing the lunch.

Good luck,
Nora

I just wanted to share a tip: slice an apple UNDERWATER (in a bowl, whatever) and the slices will not turn brown, they will still be fine by lunchtime. Apple slices do not turn brown because of exposure to air, but because of the change in pressure in the apple when it is cut. (ask a physicist...)
Fruit, to me, was an important part of a school lunch, and if your little one likes apples, slices are easier to handle than a whole apple. Other easily packable fruits I am sure you know about.
(I am the mom of a grown son)

First off...my deepest condolences to you...my dearest friend of 35 years lost her husband in April...she has 3 little ones, 11,8 and 5 months...you are not alone, even though I know you may feel you are...I wish you strength.

Second...what do you feed your daughter for lunch at home? My little girl is entering kindergarten next week as well *sigh*...she has already told me she wants a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato, an applesauce cup, carrot sticks, a treat (she wants that to be a surprise) and milk.

I'm in Syracuse NY...we have a great grocery store named Wegmans, they had a cute Hello Kitty lunch pail and a matching cold thermos for milk, and a matching round one to keep foods hot in, for soup or pasta, etc...

I don't like the prepackaged food...they're full of salt and God only knows what else...stick to good old fashioned healthy things you can pronounce - LOL!! I know that Lindsay's school is "peanut free", so the standard PBJ is out...But you could also send in a slice of pizza for her, anything you'd feed her at home! Cut up fruit, salads, etc...

It's scary how fast the time goes!! And yes, they do seem too little to be carrying a big tray of food around! I wasn't thrilled with our school menu, lots of tacos, pizza, chicken patties, it just seems you can better nourish your child if you feed them from home...but that is not to say I won't get sick or feel lazy one day and send her in with some cash - LOL!

Hope this helps...again, my prayers are with you and yours...
J.

i sent my daughter to k last yr and i was worried sick...my little girl is tiny for her age so this worried me-shes very very shy but i let her buy the first few days so she could learn with the other kids and i let her deceide.My little girl probably packed 5 times all year-she loved the choices(we read the menu together the night before and i let her choose).Id let her buy the first few days so she isnt learning later when the other kids allready know the process and just let her deceide.Theres lunch moniters in the caferteria and they help open there milk and everything.Good luck

I am sorry to hear about your recent loss. May the Lord bless you with someone better. Try not to make lunch a task. Make it fun. Sandwiches are great for this age and if cut up what they don't eat for lunch, can have later on. Another idea is to get a list of quick and easy-to- make lunches and allow the child to choose what she wants. This gives them a sense of responsibility and lets them know that they are becoming big girls/boys. I hope this was helpful. I have 6 myself and 3 of them are 6 and under
and they enjoy these ideas.

Hi!
My daughter is also starting all day kindergarten next week! I know they said at her school (and this was also true where I worked the last 2 years), that they will help them with getting their trays, opening things, etc. So not to worry! :) But I am planning on packing my daughter's lunch most of the time, anyway. I bought little fruit cups (individual servings)and a few other individually packaged things to send in her lunch. You can also buy crackers and things in normal boxes and then divide them into individual servings in baggies. I also bought carmel dip in the little packets so she can take apple pieces and dip them. We have some of the reusable juice containers that are no spill (like the ones with princess lids...) that I am planning on sending her drinks in each day. Usually you can have them buy just milk at school if you want, too. I think sometimes I might send pieces of lunch meat and cheese rolled up rather than a sandwhich. Hope those few ideas help! Sorry to hear about your recent loss. Email me if you want to chat!
J.

How exciting! First kindergarten. I cried and followed the bus like a crazy person (in a LONG line of other moms doing the same). Not to worry, they will definitely help your daughter. They know that they are new to this scene and ALL of the kids are nervous too. I would send a sandwich and fruit she likes in foil or a plastic baggie. You can also send a baggie of snacks too. Carrot sticks, pretzels are good as are raisins, apples, etc. And juice boxes, or a water bottle is good. I would not burden her with having to keep track of TOO many things early on in terms of reusables. I now send my son (10 yrs) with reusable sandwich holders, reuseable water bottles, tupperware, etc and he is pretty good at bringing them all back to me. A little more environmental than disposables. But early on, take it easy on her, she has a lot to get used to. Believe me, she will get the hang of things very quickly. Some kids are inclined to like school lunches and some school lunches are better than others. Check with other moms or check the cafeteria yourself to see if you think it is ok. If it is ok and nutritionally sound and clean, see if your daughter wants to try school lunch. She will tell you one way or the other before long. Best of luck, kindergarten is SUCH an exciting time for everyone involved!

Hi there, First, sorry to hear of your loss. I have a 5 year old stepdaughter who also is starting kindergarten and have been having to plan out lunches and snacks. I was going to send her with zip-lock bags with her sandwiches and snacks in, and juice boxes. I would assume the teachers and the aides will assist them in opening things, but until you know that for sure I would send easy open things. And dont be afraid to call/meet the teacher and ask questions. I have already went down to the school to meet my step-daughters teacher! I wanted to know who's going to be with my girl all day everyday!! Good luck!!!

Ziploc bags are great. I got the snack size ones to put in chips, crackers, etc.. My daughter didn't eat much so the snack size were perfect for a 1/2 sandwich too! I also bought some containers at Wal-Mart. They are sort of like tupperware but they have lids that lock on 4 sides. They're easy enough for small ones to get into but they seal tight enought to keep liquid in. I would use them for madarin oranges (my daughter's fave) or anything else that was juicy. I avoided a lot of pre-packed stuff becasue they were more expensive and most of the times they are very unhealthy. (those gummy "fruit" snacks should be banned- they are PURE sugar)

Some great ideas for food are baby carrots, celery w/peanut butter, nuts, GoGurt (another easy to open package) any kind of fruit and my daughter loves roasted chick peas!

A couple of great books will give you guidance.
Lunch Lessons by Ann Cooper
Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair.
You are getting your child off to a right start by having him/her bring their lunch. School lunch programs do not use high quality ingredients and often undermine a parents best efforts to feed their children good food. Brown bagging it is the way to go!
To learn more about school food visit:
www.betterschoolfood.org

I am a kindergarten teacher and I can assure you that those little ones are very capable of carrying their lunch trays. You'd be surprised at how quickly they learn to balance and maneuver them! Depending on how the lunchroom is staffed and how many children are in there at once, there may or may not be someone readily available to assist with opening packages. You could practice opening them at home or even start with a small opening at home that she can continue on her own. Otherwise, you can open any prepackaged food and put it in another container that would be easy to open. Also, keep in mind that schools often have recess immediately following lunch. If you send her with her own, will she remember to keep track of a lunchbox every day or will it wind up left in the playground?

Hi D., I know what you are going through. I not only have raised 5 but now care for 2 of my 3 grands. I think you can send your little on with what she likes to eat. They have great lunch boxes that are insulated and you can add an ice pack to keep cool or a thermos for warm stuff in the winter. I have a 9 year old grandson who mostly eats P&J but his 6 year old sister will take soup in the winter, mac & cheese, carrots and dip, salad, cheese and crackers. Occasionally the lunchable. There is no end to the possibilities. Have fun, be creative! Grandma Mary

Hi D.,
Don't be so worried! :) I work in a preschool and have worked in many schools throughout my career and I can tell you- relax!- they will help your daughter with anything she might bring in. First, I'd try to avoid any thing that can be allergic (highly allergic foods like tree nuts, peanuts, etc are sometimes 'banned' from school or at the very least the kids who have allergies sit at another table). But, by avoiding those foods you just are better off. Secondly, send what your child enjoys to eat! The teachers and staff will help her open packages whether they are prepacked store bought items or a tupperware or baggie you send from home. The popular lunch items at my current school (we have Pre-K and K classes here)are typical 'kid' foods- yogurt, sandwiches, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, string cheese, cut up fruit, crackers, pretzels, goldfish, etc. I would ask your daughter's teacher about hot foods and having access to a microwave- this is the first school I've worked in that provides a microwave for us to heat up the kids' lunches. Usually (in the past) parents have sent lunches that are eaten cold or if they are warm then they send them in a thermos (yes, I've seen many a chicken nugget in a thermos!). So, your best bet is to find out if there are any lunch policies or rules (re: allergies, microwave/fridge access, etc) and then send in whatever your child likes to eat.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Take care!
L.