Family Style Dining

Family style dining is a great way to teach children healthy habits and social skills, and it can be fun! Here are some thoughts for trying family style dining.

THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY STYLE DINING ARE…
1. Involve the children in preparing the meal and/or setting the table, and cleaning up afterwards. Letting children contribute in ways that are meaningful builds their self-esteem. It also is a good way to teach them things like the names of utensils, how to count, and right versus left, and how to help them to develop motor skills and coordination.

2. Gather everyone at the table, and join them yourself. Model good table manners and healthy eating habits. Eat the same foods that they eat.

3. Create a comfortable place for the children to eat and to learn. Use child-sized tables, chairs, serving containers, utensils, pitchers, etc.

4. Place the food in serving containers on the table. To the extent that children are developmentally ready, let them pass the containers and serve themselves. Some children may need your help, but restrain yourself from helping when it is not really necessary. Expect children to be awkward, slow, and somewhat “MESSY” until they have developed the coordination and skills needed to use the utensils and pass the food containers. Do not put foods hot enough to burn children on the table.

5. Create a relaxed atmosphere and keep eating at a leisurely pace. Engage children in quiet conversation. Keep them focused on the meal, but don’t rush them.

6. Be patient. Eating neatly takes a lot of skill. Children will have accidents. Don’t call too much attention to the accident. Simply help the child clean up the mess if they need it and continue with the meal.