One of the common concerns that parents and teachers of preschoolers have is
“Should I worry if our child/children aren’t eating?” It’s quite common for preschoolers
to go through growing phases where they refuse to eat. They are being introduced to
lots of different food flavors and textures.
Here are some strategies that might help:
1. Instead of worrying or trying to force your child to eat:
Stay Calm, try not to stress or show frustration. Children can pick up on your emotions, and that alone could make the situation worse. Pray over your meal with your child before eating. Thanking God for our food is a great start.
2. Offer a Variety of Foods:
Provide a range of healthy options and let your child choose what they want to eat. Sometimes, giving them a sense of control can encourage them to eat.
3. Have a routine for when you provide meals and snacks:
Having regular meal and snack times can help establish a routine. Children often respond well to consistency.
4. Make Meals Fun:
Use colorful plates, cut food into fun shapes, or create a theme for meals to make eating more enjoyable.
5. Involve Your Child whenever possible:
Let your child help with meal preparation. They might be more interested in eating something they helped make.
6. Limit Distractions:
Turn off the TV, tablets, phones, and put away toys during meal times to help your child focus on eating.
7. Be a Role Model:
Eat together as a family and show your child that you enjoy eating healthy foods and make it a time for sharing conversation.
8. Avoid Force-Feeding:
Forcing your child to eat can create negative associations with food. Instead, encourage them gently and praise them when they do eat. Use the three bite rule at meals, they must take three bites of each foods served before they can: be done, or have dessert, or…. You decide..
9. Offer Small Portions:
Sometimes large portions can be overwhelming. Start with small amounts and offer more if they finish.
10. Stay Consistent:
Keep offering a variety of foods, even if your child initially refuses them. It can take multiple exposures for a child to accept a new food. If you’re concerned about your child’s eating habits or nutritional intake, talk to your child’s pediatrician for personalized advice.
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