Creating Structured Mealtime At Home (Copy)

This course is all about creating structured meal time for your child.

• Everyone in the family should eat at a table together.

  • This get’s your child comfortable with being around food they don’t like. This also encourages them to pass around food they don’t like. The more comfortable they are the more likely they are to try it.

  • Sometimes it takes up to 30 exposures to food for your child to be comfortable trying it.

  • Create an experience with food. Mealtime shouldn’t be about the food. It should be about the experience. Create an experience that is fun and exciting. This will motivate your child to want to be apart of mealtime.

  • Incorporate a “No Thank You Plate” into their mealtime. This is a separate plate near your child that is has lots of foods your child doesn’t like. Start by incorporating the food they don’t like and give them the independent opportunity to move it to their no thank you plate.

  • No distractions during mealtime. This means no television, newspaper, cellphones, or video games. Make mealtime about your family. (There are some exceptions where your child may need a distraction because of their fear of food)

  • Ensure your child is sitting at a 90-90-90 (See Video).

  • Make sure every meal has a set time. This includes snack time.

  • Let your child independently handle their food.

  • Make the handwashing experience fun.

  • The more pressure you give your child to try new foods the less likely they are to do it. Pressure can create anxiety.