Tips For Feeding a Preschool Child

 

-Establish regular mealtimes each day because it gives children a sense of safeness and order

-Plan a rest or quiet time and hand-washing before each meal

-Use Child-sized plates and cups.  Provide eating utensils w/short, broad, solid handles and forks w/blunt tines

-Provide a variety of colors, textures, and interesting shapes and arrange food attractively on the plate

-Appeal to a child’s taste preference: serve food warm rather than hot, prepare raw or lightly-cooked vegetables

-Offer foods separately and provide small portions

-Serve milk w/meals, but limit consumption of juice and milk between feedings

Involve the child and eat with the child

-Encourage the child to try other foods.  Do not encourage a child to clean his or her plate

-Do not use desserts and sweets as a reward for finishing a meal

-Remove lumps from smooth foods

-Introduce new foods one at a time

-Allow them to dislike a food, within reason

-Allow the child to touch and poke the food: there is much to learn from feeling and texture

-Model healthy eating habits and table manners for the child