Children grow strong preferences throughout their development. They determine what they prefer or what they do not prefer in many areas of their daily life. In regards to mealtime experiences, children learn what their mouth likes and what their mouth dislikes. Parents help support their child's autonomy by adhering to their child's wishes, however, we also want children to continue learning about new foods as they grow. The trick is to help them explore at a pace that feels right for them. If children feel pressured or stressed during exploration at mealtimes they may not believe mealtimes are enjoyable. At times, children may show:
- Crying/whining - Refuses to sit at the table - Refuses to eat - Gagging at the sight/smell of food - Food aversion - Turns body away from food - Zoning out - Constant fidgeting - Talking too much or not talking at all - Making "a scene" at the table
Children learn from their personal experiences throughout their lifetime. Your child may have had a bad experience with mealtimes which could lead to a negative association with feeding. There are many reasons why children may not be feeling successful at mealtimes. Some children may be more sensitive to certain flavors, textures, temperatures; have delays in oral motor development; avoid oral input; have a history of vomiting or choking; or have underlying medical concerns.
Using a responsive approach, parents must proceed without pressure. Parents can provide opportunities to interact with familiar and unfamiliar foods, during and outside of mealtimes to promote positive interactions without pressure. Parents can find ways to promote opportunities for positive mealtime experiences such as:
- Personal food place mat where the child can explore the food any way they prefer - Mealtime routines to be more predictable and enjoyable - Modeling food exploration - Encouragement for their efforts (vs. praise when they eat) - Appropriate responses to child's cues
Respecting your child's pace for exploration can help them build positive connections with food. New experiences can be daunting to little ones, so supporting and being connected with your child through new and difficult experiences is important for them to feel safe and explore life.