Mealtime in Early Childhood

We know that it can be very challenging to find child friendly lunch containers. Here are a few suggestions that may be helpful:

• Containers with pull off lids are typically the most difficult for our students. Without a large lip or tab, most of our children are not successful with them.

• Use small containers whenever possible. Both Ball and Ziploc make twist top containers that are BPA free and very simple for students to open.

• If you prefer glass containers, both Anchor and Pyrex make sturdy alternatives. Again, the smaller sizes are always more supportive of student independence.

It is very common for young children to have strong food preferences. Community snack is a great opportunity for the students to try new foods. Here are some tips on how you can support your children in developing a balanced and more varied diet:

• Limit your child's milk consumption (2 cups is the daily portion recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics). Excessive milk consumption often interferes with the development of age appropriate eating habits.

• Save juice for special occasions. If your child is extremely attached to juice, slowly convert them to a mixture of 75% water/25% juice. We recommend incremental changes over an extended period of time.

• If your child is a picky eater, one of the most helpful things that you can do is prepare his/her favorite foods in a variety of ways. For example, cheese can be served in slices, strips, or cubes. Yogurt can be served in a bowl with a spoon or even offered in a cup with a curly straw. Once children recognize that form doesn't alter taste, they are well on their way to more flexible eating habits.