Is Your Child a Picky Eater?

December 26th, 2009 by Butch Aggen, School Owner

At The Goddard School of Cedar Park, parents have a choice of providing a packed lunch or using a hot catered lunch service.  Having the flexibility of packing your child’s lunch for preschool is important for the reasons noted below.  While we all understand the importance of good nutrition during early childhood, a few of us are blessed with extraordinarily picky eaters. What’s a parent to do?

goddard_nutrition_infant_toddler

Children who attend preschool are better served when their parents pack their lunches. Why?  Because the process of choosing, packing and providing healthy meal choices is in the hands of parents; not a caterer or packaged meal plan provider. This is especially important if your child is a picky eater.

The Strategy:

  • Let your child be a part of a healthy food conversation.  Discuss the week’s menus and the specific ingredients.  Read cookbooks and magazines – or just look at the interesting pictures.
  • Engage your child while at the food store and give them choices. For example, “Let’s pick a fruit to pack in your lunches.  Would you like to bring strawberries or apples?”
  • Add a little sous chef to your dinner preparations. Ask your children to bring two lemons to you or put them in charge of stirring cold items. This may delay dinner, but consider the reward – quality time!
  • It is normal for toddlers and young children to be picky eaters. They may refuse food based on its texture or color – do not fret, keep trying!

Parent Tips:

  • Offer new foods on multiple occasions. Many children need to try a new food up to a dozen times before they like it.
  • Set a good example and try new foods yourself.
  • Encourage healthy food portions. Never insist that children “clean their plates.” Rewarding a clean plate may lead to a distorted idea of food, such as ignoring feeling full or eating for a reward.
  • Make healthy snacks available. Make fruits or veggies convenient to your child.
  • Encourage your children to serve and feed themselves. Independence boosts self-esteem which leads to better food choices.
    Make ‘dining out’ a special occasion – even if it’s at the local burger joint. Children can practice manners and food choices in any dining experience.
    Reward children with praise, hugs and kisses. Resist rewarding children’s good behavior with sugary treats.

Visit our website @ http://www.goddardschool.com//Schools/Cedar-Park-TX/Schools.gspx & follow us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/GoddardSchoolCP

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