Sept. is Breakfast for Learning Month

News Release
Breakfast for Learning

(September 5, 2006 - Toronto, Ontario) - Sharpen those pencils and set your alarm clocks - it’s back to school time again! This September, start the school year off right by making child nutrition a priority during BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING month. Help BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING and its network of 30,000 volunteers championing nutrition programs across Canada spread the word about the important connection between proper nutrition and learning.
Studies show that students who eat breakfast in the morning have improved memory, problem solving skills and creative abilities but 31% of elementary school and 62% of secondary school students do not eat breakfast daily.
“Between hectic mornings, long bus rides or sports activities before school, it sometimes seems hard to find time for breakfast but a healthy meal in the morning gives kids the energy they need to concentrate in class and get the most out of their school day,” says Carol Dombrow, Nutrition Consultant for BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING. “When it comes to back to school time, a healthy breakfast is just as important as new clothes and back-to-school supplies.”
Mornings can be less stressful by getting kids to set the table with their favourite dishes and putting out cereals and breads the night before. Store milk and juice in easy-pour containers and keep cheese and yogurt on a lower shelf so that kids can help themselves.
“Children who attend school undernourished have difficulty focusing on the tasks at hand, are more fatigued and are absent from school more often compared to their well nourished peers,” adds Dombrow. “We encourage families to make nutrition a priority not just in September but throughout the year. Feeding kids a proper meal does far more than just fill their stomachs. It improves their overall ability to concentrate and to learn and contributes to a more positive day.”
Celebrate BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING month this September in your community and help ensure every child in Canada attends school well nourished and ready to learn. For more information, recipes and ideas, visit www.breakfastforlearning.ca.