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From: Delaine Certo jdjbird@earthlink.net
Date: 22 May 1997
Time: 14:26:34
Remote Name: max7-vgd-ca-67.earthlink.net
Sandra, There are a couple of things I have noticed over the years (working in daycare).
One year I had a child in the school who had a chocolate donut every day for lunch. Ten hours of school, two snacks (nutritious) from us and a donut from mom. When I spoke to her she replied, “But that’s all he’ll eat”. Well if that what she offered what did she expect?!
#1. Some parents of preschoolers do not seem to know what quantify of food to pack for school lunch. When a three year old opens the lunch to find two whole sandwiches, a banana, an apple, cheese and crackers, chips and cookies he or she can be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of food. It is helpful if parents limit the number of foods packed in a lunch, make the portions child sized and make the food accessible to the child (easy open wrapping or containers, peel the orange and cut in sections, slice the apple, cut the sandwich in quarters).
# 2. When children go through growth spurts they eat more, when growth is slowed they eat less. Many parents seem to find this worrisome. It would help if they understood this.
#3. Many preschool parents worry when their child wants nothing but peanut butter for lunch seven days a week. Given choices, most children over time will eat a varied and balanced diet.. They might try to push other foods on the child.
#4. Children’s taste buds are not the same as an adults. They like their food to be bland. Most young children to not like foods to be mixed on the plate.
Keep it simple, keep it colorful, keep it small. If you are worried your child is eating too much junk food — don’t buy it or keep it out of site. Engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity. Make eating a pleasant experience. Never cajole, threaten or bribe using food. Trust your child’s natural instincts.