When you are the parent of a toddler, chances are you have some challenges when it comes to mealtime. After the rapid growth of infancy, toddlers’ appetites tend to slow down as they develop their food preferences. Hence, picky eating is common among toddlers and can make it difficult for parents to keep up.

As a preschool and infant center in Redlands, California, we will share effective tips to help parents with picky eaters:

• Keep Portions Small

  Toddlers have smaller stomachs than adults, so they are unable to eat the same portions as their parents at the table. Hence, be sure to offer an age-appropriate amount of nutritious food to your child.

• Model the Behavior

  Young children tend to copy the behavior of their parents. In addition to enrolling your child in an infant center, model the desired behavior at home. Sit down, eat together, and talk about the food on your plate and how delicious it is.

• Introduce New Foods Gradually

  When introducing new foods, do so slowly over time and add a little bit more with each serving. This gives your child an opportunity to try the food first and get used to the new texture, aroma, and taste.

• Eat Together as a Family

  Aside from arranging childcare, share meals together as a family. Use this time to model healthy eating to promote table manners for children. Serve one meal for the whole family and resist the urge to make another if your child refuses what you have served.

Montessori Kid’s Land Academy is a trusted provider of montessori infant and preschool education in Redlands, California. In addition to our high-quality programs, we offer a Montessori curriculum to support your child’s development.

Contact us for inquiries about our early childhood programs.