Building self-help skills: mealtimes

When children begin to feed themselves there will be some mess. You must be aware of the valuable experiences gained through children independently feeding themselves.

Here are some examples.

• child putting oranges on tray – helping with food preparation
• child pouring drink from a jug – practising skills
• child scraping plates into the bin – being responsible
• child wiping the table clean – helping out
• child offering some banana to another child – socialising with food
• baby in a chair with a spoon – even if she can't feed herself, she can still practise!

Eating is an emotional process. You can influence a child's positive feelings of mealtime experiences by interpreting each child's signals, giving some choices, defining limits clearly and reacting and interacting responsively to create a relaxed eating experience.

Seating children together encourages socialisation and allows them a choice about where to sit, who to sit next to and about leaving the table when they're finished.

Children should be encouraged to participate before and after mealtimes. This helps build their self esteem and may encourage some 'fussy eaters' to relax and enjoy mealtimes.

Which of these approaches listed below can be used to enhance the mealtime experience for children? Select your answers by clicking the checkboxes, and then click 'Done' to see the answers.

	Use child-size unbreakable utensils.
	Provide soft food that can be picked up in the hand.
	Give smaller amounts so the child can ask for more, rather than have to struggle with a portion that is too big.
	Allow time for exploration and experimentation.
	Set a relaxed tone that will promote self-feeding.