Your Child Will Learn
How to serve themselves food during mealtime
Here’s What to Do
- Talk about the food choices that are on the table.
- Show your child how you put food on your own plate, and talk about it as you serve yourself.
- Now it’s your child’s turn! Invite them to choose what food they would like to eat, and allow them to scoop it onto their own plate.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Sit with your child at the table. Feel your body in the chair- which parts of your body are touching the chair? The floor?
ENGAGE
- “Tonight we have chicken, rice, and beans. I’m going to take a piece of chicken, a big scoop of rice, and a smaller scoop of beans. What would you like to put on your plate?”
- “Can you scoop the beans and put them on your plate? You try first and I’ll help if you need it.”
ENCOURAGE
- Remember that making a mess is part of the learning process. Over time, your child will learn how to serve themselves with less mess.
- If a meal is unfamiliar to your child, or includes foods that are not your child’s favorite, try to include one item that you know your child will eat. Having one preferred food as a choice may encourage your child to try other food on the table.
REFLECT
- “What was your favorite food tonight? What did you like about it?”
Not Quite Ready
Put your hand on top of your child’s hand as they put food on their plate. You can also make it easier with smaller child-friendly containers, like a small cup of milk to pour into their cereal instead of the whole milk carton.
Ready for More
Ask your child to help clear the table when the meal is complete.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will be able to serve themselves food independently.
Time to Complete
10 minutes
Materials Needed
Whatever food is being served at mealtime, plus serving spoons and plates