Mealtimes are one of the biggest challenges to anybody involved in raising and caring for children. We’re understandably hesitant about ascribing negative labels to children, but we thought we’d write some tips for nannies who are working with ‘picky’, ‘fussy’, ‘quirky’, or otherwise ‘tricky’ eaters!
1. PRAISE
It’s important to hide any of your own frustrations at mealtimes – and at all times when caring for young people. Focus on giving them lots of praise, and make sure it’s specific praise for specific actions – like sitting nicely or holding a spoon by themselves. You might have to ignore some of the undesirable behaviour along the way, but mealtimes are likely to be less stressful and more enjoyable as a result. Paying any negative behaviour no attention (unless it poses a danger) is one way to try to gently nip it in the bud.
2. REWARDS
A sticker chart in the kitchen can work well with children age three and upwards. You could have some fun and make the chart together and choose which stickers to use for good behaviour. You could even decide on reward categories together, like ‘trying something new’ or ‘asking to get down from the table.’ A tangible reward when a certain number of stickers has been awarded is usually a powerful tool, though some children will do it purely for the love of stickers!
3. INVOLVEMENT
It can be quite interesting to see how being involved in the planning and preparation of a meal can whet a child’s appetite. So get them mixing, cracking eggs and rolling out pastry – whatever’s safe and fun! See our recent post on how to get children involved in growing their own seeds as well, like cress in egg shells – it all helps towards getting little people excited about food.
4. AESTHETICS
It doesn’t take much to make children’s meals look more exciting. Make mini portions in ramekins, decorate halved muffins with pizza toppings, and use straws for threading fruit kebabs, roasted veg or chicken bites – and get them involved in the assembly process where appropriate.
5. HIDE AND SEEK
Try recipes that vegetables can be blended into if you’re dealing with a veggie-phobe! Tomato sauces and hearty ratatouille for pasta, or mashed potato with swede or carrot and a handful of grated cheddar. Eating with the fingers can be a way in to getting older children to eat veg because it can feel like a novelty and a challenge, so try serving things like corn on the cob or carrot and cucumber sticks.
As always, your wisdom is valuable to the nanny community so please do come over to our Facebook page and let us know your best recipes and techniques for creating positive experiences with ‘tricky’ eaters!