Have you heard these words before and are frustrated with your kids not eating the meals you worked hard to plan?  Here are a few hints to help create  mealtime a pleasure.

Keep mealtime atmosphere light and pleasant.

A quiet time before the meal allows the children to relax after a busy morning.  Appetites are better and spills are reduced when children are calm and ready for mealtime.  Children are messy, at times.  Be prepared and realistic about it.  Children gain self confidence at mealtimes if they know they are a welcome part of the group even if a spill occurs.

Encourage the children to talk at the table.

Ask children questions about things which are important to them.

Don't force children to eat of to clean their plates.

Children who re healthy and hungry are usually able to decide how much food they need.  Some weeks or even months their appetites slack off, other times they are always hungry.

Most children dislike some foods.  If they are introduced to new foods regularly at home they are usually more interested in new foods in home care settings.  Some children love to eat and others would rather play.  Try not to make a big fuss over food dislikes.

Daycare providers are required to serve nutritious meals with planned snacks.  However, the providers should not force children to eat.  Try not to show your own dislikes for foods.  Again, your attitude greatly influences the way children accept foods.

Children should be offered a planned meal and snack times only.  Do not allow children to eat at other times.

Plan adequate length of time for a leisurely paced meal.

Some children are slow eaters, some are more fast paced.  Respect their tempo.  When a child loses interest in eating, excuse them from the table.

Develop good eating habits.

Let the children know that crying or whining is not acceptable at the table..  If a child is not interested in eating, there will be another snack or meal, and she can eat then.

When introducing new foods:

Introduce one new food at a time.  If you serve the food with a favorite food the child may make a positive association.

Introduce the new food at the beginning of the meal when the child is the hungriest.

Don't make a big deal about food dislikes.  Continue to serve new foods.

Respect a child's cultural background.

Use some foods that are from their culture for snacks and meals.  This helps the child feel that her heritage is valued and respected.

Respect parents wishes about religious restrictions regarding food.

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