April marks the start of the school year in Japan. If you're a parent, this may mean that you're faced with the task of making bentō (boxed lunches) for the first time. While bentō are virtually a national institution that come in many formats and are enjoyed by almost everyone, making them for small children is another world altogether.

First and foremost, homemade bentō should be tasty, nutritious and filling. They should contain enough food so that your child won't get hungry during the afternoon, but not so much that they find it daunting to finish — teachers tend to encourage kids to finish their bentō, since lunchtime is used as a teaching opportunity, especially in kindergarten.

A typical bentō lunch should contain at least one starch-rich item, one with protein and one or two vegetables, just like any meal. The usual starch is rice, but this can be bread or pasta or any grain that tastes good when it's eaten cold. To start with, you may want to stick to foods that your child likes already, since she or he may feel intimidated by new surroundings. Think about making a list of things that your child likes right now, before the bentō-making rush starts.