What do you think is worse to teach, tired children or hungry children?

[MrsKoala]

Just that really, I’m musing about breakfast particularly.

My dc (8,6 & 4) don’t like breakfast any earlier than an hour and a half after they have woken up, preferably 2.

If I woke them that early we’d all have to be up at 6am and lose 2 hours sleep (they are night owls so don’t go to bed till 10-11pm so need it).

I have always veered to the side of as much sleep as possible and they can just eat at lunch. But I’ve been reading that children who don’t have breakfast are further behind in school. But I’m wondering if the extra sleep would make up for that concentration?

Do you think kids are better tired or hungry? From a learning point of view. (That’s assuming the children are hungry I suppose - mine say they aren’t till 11ish anyway and the younger 2 get offered fruit snacks at 10am). Can they suffer from hunger without feeling hungry?

I dont think they necessarily need to have breakfast foods for breakfast. If they eat breadsticks and hummus for example thats fine for breakfast. I also think an oaty biscuit would be fine and is probably a good compromise.

If a child needs breakfast its better they have something I suppose

A teacher won't be massively concerned about a child who doesn't like breakfast but is obviously well-fed otherwise. We're worried about malnutrition. I might bring it up if a child is struggling because of it.