Meal time is Fun time- 5 simple mealtime rules for your toddler

Meal time may not really be the best time of the day both for child and parents alike. I am not hungry, I am having a stomach ache, I don’t feel like eating, may I watch television while eating etc etc!!! the list of excuses is endless and innovative each time. And this really ponders me to think why? Why does meal time need to be a fuss time? Its not possible to serve pizza’s, burgers and noodles each day. Neither can we give in to these excuses or let them go hungry!

 We all have our family mealtime rule. These rules are supposed to keep the meal organized, pleasant, and healthy. It’s a time when the entire family sits together and shares their time together. Its “Our time” as a family. Below are a few fun mealtime rules to make it fuss free:

1. Join In:

 In todays busy schedule we get little or no time with the family . Life seems “ regimented “ , more like living by a time table. It is here that meal time comes as a pleasant break from your schedule, as you sit together to know each other, understand and connect. So even if the child has the option to decide whether to eat or not, sitting on the dinning table with all is not an option, it is not negotiable. We just can’t be that busy or tired that we are unable to spare some time for the family. “You don’t have to eat, but please join us at the table for family time”, shared Ms. Sharma senior faculty member from a renowned chain of playschools in North Delhi.

2. No option

 Burgers, pizza’s , noodle and Maggie are the all time favourite of children and as a parent this is just not an option. The role of a parent and child on the dinner table are different- the parent’s job is to choose the meals, when they will be eaten and where. The kid gets to decide whether to not to eat it. Yes , child would resist to the food present on the table and may excuse himself by saying  I am not hungry!” Its okay. Don’t give in. Don’t give any other optioneither. As appetite increase and mind become less resistant. There is always something for everyone on the table..Give the child time to identify it”, explained Mrs. Mehta senior child psychologist and consultant with a finest preschool in North Delhi.

3. Helpers

 “Kitchen is the favorite play zone for most child. They love be around and as much as you may feel that they are a hindrance, they love to offer their assistance and proudly deliver it too”, shared Ms. Neha , teacher with playschool at North Delhi Involve you child in the kitchen activity. This way learn cooking skills and get food exposure too. Address their queries as they help you around. So once food is served on the table , they feel familiar with it and are less resistant to it.

4. Small Servings

 It’s important that children learn food throwing is not acceptable. You don’t have to fill their plate at once. There’s ample on the table.  Give them small servings and once they are through they may ask for more. This way child realizes the importance of not wasting food. Further he/she is able to judge their appetite and express it too. Serving more and forcing child to finish it all leads to child obesity.  With small servings you are also able to introduce child to variety of food items thereby expanding their horizon. They also learn to practice sharing- sharing what is there with all not have it all.

5. No Compulsion:

 Don’t make food as a reward mechanism to get the child to complete his/her food or eat vegetables. Children may end up  eating  more than they need just to get the reward food .Or  can lose their sense of fullness, which is critical in helping them stop eating when they are satisfied, and maintain a healthy body weight. Eating beyond one’s appetite isn’t a good practice. Further it can turn them off from learning to like and enjoy food.

Meal time is funtime . Its that time of the day when all come together . Its just not about the food served but about the time being spent together. Let it be fun for all.

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Created on Nov 21st 2017 03:08. Viewed 541 times.

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