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Mealtime Teaching
Topics
1 Taste, texture and color. Toddlers
are visual and tactile learners, seeing and
touching things in their environments help
with brain development. Use this to your
advantage. Ask questions about the colors of
the foods or make general statements about
the taste and textures.
2 Eating Smart. Teach children about
the benefits of eating smart by explaining how
doing so helps them play hard and learn well.
Avoid discussing specific nutrients or talking
about “good” food and “bad” food. On your
next home visit you will be given a book called,
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ch-kids-nutriti
The Boy Who Loved Broccoli. It is a story about a boy
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who loved to eat broccoli because it turned him into
a superhero. Read this book at circle time, then serve
5 Mealtime Videos
broccoli at lunch. Watch the children gobble up their greens.
3 Portion Size. Mealtime is a great time to teach
children to listen to their bodies. Ask them how their tummies
feel; does it feel “empty or full”?
4 Verbal praise. Verbal praises or “high fives” can
make meal times a very positive experience. For some
children trying new foods can be very stressful, but
positive praises can often reduce those barriers. Always
avoid bribes, threats or discipline to get children to eat.
HELPFUL Phrases for Mealtime
.”
food
es different
erybody lik
“Ev
“Which food on your plate is your favorite?”
“Has your tummy had enou
gh?”
Video 1: Educates children about
the taste, texture, and color of
foods through conversations during
meals. (1:45)
Video 2: Instructs you to educate
children about the nutritional
benefits of eating healthy foods
through conversation during meals.
(1:51)
Video 3: Instructs you to educate
children about portion size during
meals, using a three-step process.
(1:40)
Video 4: Teaches how verbal
praise is important for children to
have positive experiences with
healthy foods. (1:58)
Video 5: Putting It All Together.
This video features one meal and
shows how an early care provider
exhibits all these positive strategies
and behaviors related to food.
(2:11)
“What colors d
o you see?”
t?”
“What would Batman ea
PROVIDERS VOICE
5