Cooperative Living November/December 2023 - 22

HEALTHYTAKE
CONSIDER THESE FOUR
TIPS TO GET KIDS MORE
INVOLVED IN MEALTIMES:
1. Choose mealtimes when the family is
typically together and make preparation
a team eff ort. Allow children to pick out
vegetables or other items at the grocery
store (or from the fridge, freezer or pantry)
to prepare. Alternatively, if you have a
few meal options planned for the week,
children can help decide what to make
on which days. The key is to empower
children to make choices, thus helping
develop a sense of responsibility and
encouraging variety in food choices.
2. Allow children to help wash produce,
stir food in mixing bowls, get tools like
cutting boards from the cupboard and
more. Children can help peel or chop
foods or stir pots or pans with adult
guidance. Even younger children can
assist by using child-safe utensils to
peel or chop food, sprinkle toppings,
pour dressings or combine pre-measured
meal components.
3. Children can help place food on the
table and serve themselves at young
ages. Young children may fi nd it easier
to serve themselves by using measuring
cups instead of serving utensils.
Encourage children to try some of each
food on the table but try not to push them
to eat anything in particular. Instead, give
them time and multiple opportunities to
try diff erent foods. If they are able, teach
children how to pass food to others at
the table and engage in conversation.
Sharing at the table can help foster social
development and family connections.
4. After mealtime, children can help clean
up and put things away. Even if they can't
reach the sink, children can help clear
items from the table. They can also assist
with putting dishes in the dishwasher
or ferrying clean dishes to an adult to
put back in cupboards and drawers.
Additionally, they can help wipe up spills
and crumbs, and push in chairs, too.
Not Enough Chefs in the Kitchen
Four tips to encourage kids to help with meal preparation
Story courtesy of Family Features
P
lanning, preparing, serving and cleaning up aft er mealtimes are skills that
can be benefi cial to everyone. Yet when it comes to meal prep, many families
fi nd it easier to tell children to go play rather than bringing them into the
kitchen to help create meals.
" One of the best ways to encourage children to try new foods or simply eat
their vegetables is to allow them the opportunity to plan and prepare a meal, "
says Emily Hicks, a registered dietitian nutritionist
for KinderCare Learning Centers. " Involving
children in meal planning, preparation and serving
in age-appropriate ways helps give them some
autonomy in a world in which they oft en feel they
do not have many choices. Th is can help reduce
stress and food fi ghts at mealtime, creating a more
peaceful and enjoyable experience for everyone. "
Meal preparation can also bring certain
classroom lessons such as counting and fractions
to life as children measure ingredients. It can
also be an opportunity for an impromptu science
lesson about the parts of plants and animals people
eat and the nutritional benefi ts of healthy foods.
" Involving your children
in your mealtime
routines can bring
food and fun to the
table, creating a sense
of belonging that
will boost the whole
family's well-being.
- Emily Hicks
" Th e benefi ts of family mealtime go beyond health, " Hicks says. " Involving
your children in your mealtime routines can bring food and fun to the table,
creating a sense of belonging that will boost the whole family's well-being.
Remember, you don't have to stick to a routine 100 percent of the time to
be benefi cial. Just do your best to keep routines when possible and practice
balance. "
*
20 * Cooperative Living * November-December 2023
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Cooperative Living November/December 2023

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