One of the most critical parts of child care as a parent is making sure your little one is eating enough and getting all the nutrition they need for their proper development. Younger kids are notoriously picky eaters, but there are several ways to prevent or curb this trait. Below are three tips for encouraging your children to eat healthy foods.

Child Care Tips for Preventing Picky Eating

1. Introduce New Foods

Introducing new foods on a regular basis will broaden their sense of taste and acclimate them to trying new things. If they refuse something you offer them, don’t be discouraged. Simply continue to make it an option in their meals and snacks, and eventually they’ll try it. Most children will only try new foods after seeing it several times and watching others eat it first. If your child is served meals at school or daycare, you can ask for a menu of their planned meals and snacks each week and incorporating some of these foods into meals at home.

2. Make It Fun

Children respond best to new things when they’re having fun, so make eating interesting. Let them play with their foods, especially new ones, and find interesting ways to present meals, such as by making a face on their plate. Sit and eat with them so they feel less pressure, and talk to them while eating. Not only does this foster the bonding that’s so critical in child development, but it will also make your child more comfortable and more likely to eat. Another way to keep them engaged is to let them help prepare food in age-appropriate ways, such as adding shredded cheese to salads.

3. Never Force It

Forcing a child to eat will make them act out and look at food as a punishment. They may even start refusing their favorite foods because they’re now upset by the thought of eating. Be gentle and patient with them, and they’ll begin to develop more advanced tastes over time. If you’re concerned they aren’t meeting nutritional needs but you’ve tried everything to get them to eat, speak to child care professionals or their pediatrician for advice, and use supplemental drinks like Pediasure® to make up for lost nutrients until they get past their picky stage.

A Brighter Rainbow Learning Center in Billerica, MA, will help you encourage your child to try new foods while providing excellent child care services. Since 2003, they’ve provided day care and child development programs in a positive, loving environment, with an advanced curriculum that includes health education. View their curriculum online, and learn about enrolling your child by calling (978) 670-9222.