Experts say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To support your students for success, you want to provide them with healthy, brain-boosting breakfast items full of nutritional ingredients they both love and need. This way, your students will be fueled to listen to you throughout the day and not grow weary or restless because of poor breakfast choices. Here are two delicious recipes to get started: 

1. Breakfast popsicles

This frozen treat is so tasty, your students will think you're giving them dessert for breakfast, not a treat loaded with good fruits and dairy protein.

What you need:

• Vanilla yogurt, amount depends on classroom size
• Thinly sliced fruit such as kiwi, strawberries and blueberries
• 2 cups granola
• Popsicle molds
• Popsicle sticks

What you do:
Add yogurt to molds, around halfway. Slide in fruit slices. Top with more yogurt and fruit until the molds are full. Stick in popsicle sticks. Freeze overnight, then remove from molds right before serving. Let students dip their popsicles in granola, if desired.

2. No-bake quinoa bars

This is the perfect nutritional treat. It makes 12 bars, but you can scale it up or down based on your classroom size.

What you need:

• 1 1/4 cups granola 
• 1 cup cooked quinoa cooled
• 1 cup coarsely chopped raw almonds
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup melted peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips and dried pomegranate seeds 

What you do:
Combine quinoa, almonds, granola, flaxseed and salt in a large bowl. Stir well. Pour in chocolate chips and pomegranate seeds. Add honey, peanut butter and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly. Put mixture in microwave for 45 seconds. Cool slightly, then pour in remaining ingredients. Mix until moist. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Press fixture into medium-sized dish. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Cut into 12 squares right before serving. 

Remember to always make wise choices for children in your class who have food allergies. Keep in mind that many children have their first allergic reaction in the child care setting, so plan accordingly.

For more ideas on healthy foods for kids, check out our Healthy Eaters: Nutrition in Child Care course.