Mealtime Experience

The professional working with young children creates safe, healthy, enjoyable feeding and mealtime experiences for children

Resources & Media for Understanding Competency 5.9

a

Accommodates and incorporates children's cultural and religious dietary restrictions
b

Provides time, support and opportunities for simple food preparation, self-serving and self-feeding
c

Provides regular times for meals and snacks each day (more than two, but no longer than three hours apart)
d

Provides a balanced variety of nutritious foods that children can eat easily, and that align with recommendations from the New York State Child and Adult Care Food Program (NYS CACFP) for the ages of the children in their care
e

Encourages children to try a wide variety of foods, but does not force children to eat or place food items on their plate
f

Presents all components of the meal simultaneously, including fruit and drink
g

Is responsive to children's food preferences and respects each child's order of consumption
h

Makes sure children sit at a comfortable height in relation to the tabletop. Children's feet should touch the floor or a foot rest.
i

Uses plates and utensils appropriate for children's size and skills
j

Sits and engages in conversation with children during snack and mealtimes
k

Provides enough time for children to enjoy a relaxed meal, does not leave children at the table for too long, and makes transitional activities available for children who have finished before others
l

Does not use food as punishment or as a reward

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