SAND HILLS SCHOOL
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Curriculum
    • Employment Opportunities
    • COVID-19
  • Registration
  • Parent Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

Encouraging Preschoolers to Try New Foods

2/25/2015

0 Comments

 
Growing up as a picky eater, I can relate to a child who does not want to try new foods.  As a picky eater, I truly had a fear of new foods.  It was a combination of the fear of a physical reaction like gagging or throwing up and the embarrassment that would come from it.    It is still difficult for me today to try certain foods and I am wary of foods where I cannot “see” what is in it. I recently read an article in which I learned that 8 to 12 experiences are necessary for a child to try and then accept a new food. Well I know that growing up I did not give new foods a fighting chance, having probably only tried new foods once, if at all.  I was also surprised to learn that Preschool-age children go through a normal developmental phase called neophobia, or fear of new things—in this case, new foods.  Preschool children are influenced by the people around them.  Parents, siblings, grandparents, caregivers, friends and teachers help to shape a child’s eating habits.  Here are a few ideas that can help the picky eater become more adventurous:

-          Make food fun  

-          Keep offering new foods

-          Be a good role model by eating new foods with children  

-          Let children choose new foods

-          Help children learn about new foods  

-          Try offering one new food at a time  

-          Avoid forcing children to try new food

Most of all be patient with your child. 

Happy eating!
0 Comments

    Archives

    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    February 2018
    January 2017
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    June 2014
    June 2013
    April 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Curriculum
    • Employment Opportunities
    • COVID-19
  • Registration
  • Parent Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact