Eating a Healthy Breakfast is Connected to Good Academic Performance

The beginning of a new school year is always challenging for parents and children. We parents usually have different concerns than our children as we center our attention on how to assist them with doing well in all aspects of school. Yet, we share with them the goal of good academic performance. Science has shown that a child who starts the day with a good breakfast is already leaps ahead in performing well in school.

According to an online article on the website for the National Center for Biotechnical Information/National Institutes of Health, the importance of a healthy breakfast cannot be overstated yet it is the most frequently skipped meal, with 20% to 30% of children skipping it.

Studies “generally demonstrate that eating breakfast has a positive effect on children's cognitive performance, particularly in the domains of memory and attention.” Children who eat breakfast have an increase in cognitive performance, meaning an increase in attention skills so that they can perform their lessons well. This also translates to an ability to attend school regularly and remember information that is taught. Additionally, their behavior in class is dramatically affected because they can concentrate better and perform the necessary tasks.

It is important for us to understand that children’s brains are developing and are different than those of adults. The article points out that children have a higher brain glucose metabolism than adults. “To maintain this higher metabolic rate, a continuous supply of energy derived from glucose is needed, hence breakfast consumption may be vital in providing adequate energy for the morning.”

Not only does breakfast assist a child academically, but it also helps the child to maintain proper body weight. Children who skip are more likely to be overweight and not eat healthy snacks or satisfy the recommended daily vegetable and fruit intake. Not surprising is the connection between skipping breakfast and “risky behaviors” such as smoking and experimenting with alcohol and drugs.

Plan for healthy breakfasts ahead of time. Make them easy and fun. There are plenty of books and online articles with suggested recipes. Give your children the important start for their school day and help them reach their goals of academic success.

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Explore Your Own Town or City: Have a Summer Family “Staycation”

I have written previously about taking family vacations during the summer. However, it may be that you are on a tight budget and a family trip may have moved down the list of priorities this summer. But, you can still have a vacation with your family without breaking the bank or crossing state lines.

“Staycations” are the perfect alternative to expensive out of town trips. You might think that you have seen everything in your area, but there are possibly many hidden gems still waiting to be found and this is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to do just that. In addition, there usually are a variety of local discounts available from museums, historic sites, and other ‘tourist attractions’.

If you want to leave your home, you could stay at an inexpensive hotel to have the full “vacation experience”. Many hotels give local residents discounts during the summer. However, there are plenty of ways to have the luxury feel of a hotel in your own home. For example, one of the best parts of any good hotel stay is the breakfast spread. Plan on cooking a big breakfast (the kids can join too!), similar to that of most hotels, and serve it buffet style. Set the table with white tablecloths and a simple centerpiece and enjoy your private, yummy breakfast with the family.

After breakfast, select one or more popular tourist attractions to visit. Try something new and different. It may seem silly to be a tourist in your own home, but it can be fun and educational. One of the main advantages is that you do not have to worry about the cost of transportation because you can drive to each destination in your own vehicle! Try visiting museums, having a picnic in the park, going backyard camping, or just taking a stroll through the city or town. In the evening, consider talking the family to a drive-in theater.

You can make a day or a weekend out of it. The schedule is completely up to you because transportation, location and the struggle that comes with being in a new place will not be an issue. By the end of it all, you and your family will have seen, done, and learned so much about your own community that you never imagined you could. Who knows? It might even become a family tradition.