Why Mealtime Routines are Important
Whenever I do an initial assessment, I spend a decent chunk of time trying to understand what mealtimes look like for a family. Why? Because sometimes the problem doesn’t lie with the food, but with how the child enters into and engages at the mealtime.
Some of the questions I ask are:
What emotion best describes how your child enters a mealtime?
What is your child typically doing before a mealtime?
What is the process of your mealtimes?
Where does everyone sit?
Who eats with your child?
How long do they take to eat?
How do they know when mealtimes are finished?
Can they communicate with you when they are hungry or full?
Do they need reminders to eat?
Can they stay seated throughout the mealtime?
What other things are going on during the mealtime?
And so on…
Why on earth would I ask so many questions about one little thing?
So I can try to step into your child’s shoes and really try to understand what they are going through and why mealtimes might be tricky for them. Kids thrive off knowing their expectations and a routine, so here is how I would start and finish your mealtimes to help set your child up for success.
How to start a mealtime
Give your child a verbal warning - eg/ dinner in 5 minutes
Ask them to come wash their hands FIRST. This helps with transitioning them to the activity they are finding difficult (eating). You could compare this to having a drink before you do your taxes - it helps ease you into it. After they have washed their hands then they can come to the table.
Sometimes not having food on the table to start also helps a child with willingness to come to the table
How to finish a mealtime
Say ‘it’s clean up time’ to signal the mealtime is over and commence your clean up routine. I like to start by using a clean up game, where everyone takes their unfinished items on their plate and either throws or blows it into a scrap bowl. This is a great way to get a little exposure in for new foods on their plate. Depending on their age and abilities, you children could either stack their plates on the table, take it to the sink, or put it in the dishwasher.
Wash hands!
Is this going to work for everyone? Absolutely not! I can almost guarantee that for SOME families, trying to stick to this routine may cause more stress. That is why an individualised approach is always the way to go.
Want help with your child’s meal times and picky eating? Reach out to orangefeedingclinic@gmail.com or call 6362 9806 for more info.
