1. Let’s Do Lunch:
Family Style Dining
Audrey Rowland, MS MBA
www.greenspacetx.com

2. Habits of a Healthy Eater
Eats only when ____________________
Eats a variety of ________________ and _________________
Limits ___________, oils, _________________
Appropriate _____________________
Eats __________ and focuses on the meal rather than other activities

3. Identify Hunger
• Talk about hunger
• Never use food as an activity or transition
• Don’t soothe or reward with food
• Do not refer to food as a ‘treat’

4. Eat a Variety of Foods
• Model good food choices and try new things
• Offer new foods on several occasions
• Don’t assign food importance (good vs. healthy)
• Have all food available before serving
• Discuss benefits
• Create a peaceful mealtime

5. Appropriate Portions
• Start with small portions and allow additional servings
• Allow children to serve themselves
• Watch for signs of fullness
• Model
• Use proper utensils for serving
• Assure children that there is always more food

6. Eat Slowly
• Make mealtime an experience – set the table
• Do not prompt or over-offer
• Avoid confrontations
• Engage and encourage conversation
• Never rush

7. Family Style Dining
Video
Prime Time
• socializing
• interacting
• teaching
• learning

8. Support Independence
• Use proper equipment and furnishings
• Expect spills
• Allow the children to participate in the process
• Appropriate expectations

9. Support Social Development
• Allow children to choose seat
• Encourage conversation
• Model proper manners
• Avoid power struggles

10. Teach
• Math
• Language
• Motor Development
• Cause and Effect
• Planning
• Pro-social Skills

11. Best Practices
• Routines and transitions
• Consistent staffing during meals
• Snack as a center in preschool
• Organized and prepared
• Appropriate furniture

12. Conclusion
• Questions
• Best Practices
• Action Plan