What your child will discover
Help the child recognize that protein is a nutrient the body uses for growth, maintenance, and repair. Introduce animal and plant sources without presenting one dietary pattern as superior.
Lesson 071 of 300
What Are Protein Foods?
Learn that beans, lentils, eggs, fish, meat, tofu, and similar foods provide protein that supports growth and repair.
12–24 monthsHealth, Food & FeelingsAdult guided
Health, Food & Feelings · KnowledgeForKids.com
Listen together · adult controls the audio
The spoken lesson
"Protein is a nutrient that helps the body grow and repair its tissues. Protein foods include beans, lentils, eggs, tofu, fish, poultry, meat, and safely prepared nuts or seeds. Families eat different protein foods according to culture, health, belief, and availability. A caregiver cooks and prepares each food for the child's abilities. Beans may be mashed. Fish must have its bones removed. Meat should be tender. Whole nuts and thick spoonfuls of nut butter are not safe for toddlers. Protein foods help the body grow, maintain itself, and repair." DESIGN REQUIREMENTS: Represent plant and animal foods equally and respectfully. Do not promote supplements, protein powders, branded products, bodybuilding concepts, dietary ideology, or forced tasting.
Words to notice together
PROTEINGROWREPAIRBEANSLENTILSEGGTOFUFISH
Make it real
Pause, point, name what you notice, and connect the idea to something familiar in your child's day. Repetition, a calm voice, shared attention and dependable care matter more than finishing quickly.