It’s not always easy to find time for family dinner, but there are many reasons to make time for it.

In this day and age, it seems like it’s difficult to find time for just about anything. Most parents have so much going on that it’s much easier to simply stop by a drive-thru or order take-out than it is to make a meal for their kids. However, family dinner is important, and your child can benefit from eating family dinners regularly in many ways. The following is a list from our child care experts in Columbia of just a few of the many reasons why family dinners are important for kids:

#1. Improved Nutrition

Childhood obesity rates are at an all-time high, and a part of the reason for this is that many kids eat out for the bulk of their meals. It’s no secret that meals that you get out are largely unhealthier than home-cooked meals. Home-cooked meals are typically more balanced and contain more nutrients than meals you get out.

#2. Portion Control

Another big reason to eat at home more often as a family is portion control. Most restaurants serve portions that are about twice as large as healthy serving suggestions, and when all of that food is in front of you, it’s all too easy to eat it, even when you’re already full. When you cook at home, you have a lot more control over the portions you are putting on your child’s plate.

#3. Better Grades

The benefits of eating as a family go well beyond just nutrition and health. Statistically, kids who eat at home with their families have better grades than kids who don’t eat family dinners. This may be due to the fact that kids who eat family dinners spend more time talking to adults and listening to adults talk to each other, which improves their vocabulary.

As you can see, even if you have a tight schedule, it’s important to make time for family dinner. Do you have any questions or concerns about our child care in Columbia? If so, please contact us today!