Feeding Children

You can lead a child to the table, but you can't make a child eat - nor should you! Parents and caregivers decide what foods are offered and when and where they are eaten. The child decides which offered foods to eat and how much he or she is going to eat. (Adapted from publications by Ellyn Satter.)

Feeding children

• Provide regular meals and snacks. Offer a variety of foods.
• Provide safe and comfortbale seating. Small children may need an elevated seat to reach the table and food.
• Let the child serve part or all of the meal themselves.
• Encourage children to try new foods. Serving a new food with a favorite food may encourage tasting. It may take 15, 20, or even dozens of times for a child to accept a new food. KEEP TRYING.
• Don't force a child to eat.
• Food should not be used for a reward or punishment.
• Eat with children. They learn manners and eating behaviours from adults.
• Make meal times fun and interesting. Turn off the TV and eat together. Keep mealtime conflict free.
• Young children like plain, simple foods that can be finger-fed. Favorite foods are moist, smooth, crisp, mildly flavored, and at room temperature.
• Snacks should be nutritious and satisfying but not offered too close to mealtimes.
• What appears to be finicky behaviors may be attempts at assertiveness, a natural part of growing up.
• Children are more likely to eat foods they helped prepare. Let them help plan a meal.
• At mealtime, include at least one food your child likes. Don't make different foods for individual family members.
• Most of all, relax. Enjoy this time you spend with your family.

Featured Recipes

Chicken Fingers Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Crush breadcrumbs in large plastic bag. If desired, addsalt, pepper, and other spices. Pour onto large plate.Remove skin and bone from chicken breast. Cut eachbreast into strips.Pour milk into pie plate or shallow dish. Dip chickenstrips in milk and then in breadcrumbs. Place chickenon lightly greased cookie sheet.Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.

Skinny French Fries Preheat oven to 450°F.Cut potatoes and pat dry on towels. (The less water onthe potatoes, the crispier they will be.) Put potatoes in a bowl and toss with oil andseasonings. Spread strips of potatoes in one layer in a9 inch by 13-inch pan.Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until potatoes are goldenbrown and tender. Turn frequently.

The recipes on this factsheet are foods that children can help prepare with adult supervision. Check out our factsheet Cooking With Kids for more tips on how to cook safely and successfully with your child. 

Printable PDF

A printable version of the Feeding Children factsheet can be viewed here.