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 blunt tines and solid handles
-Provide a variety of colors, textures, and interesting shapes and arrange food attractively on the plate
-Appeal to a child’s taste preference: don't serve hot, prepare raw or lightly-cooked vegetables
-Offer foods separately and provide small portions
-Serve milk with 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