Encouraging Children to Eat

1. Ask about food preferences, then request that dietary send favorite foods.
2. Foods that can be picked up with the fingers are often most acceptable to younger children.
3. Serve food lukewarm. Children usually object to very hot or very cold foods.
4. Keep in mind that most children like grain products best, vegetables least.
5. Most children dislike spicy foods.
6. Make meals a special occasion. Celebrate holidays, especially days that are meaningful to the child—his dog’s birthday!
7. A nurse can always suggest an "Un-Birthday celebration"—as in Alice in Wonderland—on any day of the year, except, of course, the child’s birthday.
8. Decorate "place mats" made from almost any kind of paper with crayons, pencils, etc.
9. Make an effort to schedule procedures after meals or at least an hour before mealtime.
10. Make paper hats—the triangle sort—out of any type of paper for the celebration of eating. Or perhaps make paper airplanes. Use your imagination plus the child’s imagination!
11. A flower, any kind, including one made of paper, is effective in making mealtime fun.
12. Use a small pitcher and allow the child to pour from it into his or her cup or glass—seems to improve intake tremendously.
13. A clean "play" tea set used for serving real food or liquid is fun for most children.
14. Keep the child company at mealtime, even if he or she is self-feeding.
15. Allow children to eat with other children if possible. The playroom helps to distract them from the "sick" atmosphere in their own rooms.