What can educators do to support?

Think of it as sitting as one family passing the dishes to each other and helping yourselves!

• It’s a way of serving food to children in bowls which allows them to practice self-help skills by scooping, pouring and making decisions on their portion size.  
• Encourages adults to sit together with the children at mealtimes to mentor healthy eating.
• Fosters relationships by promoting conversations.

Benefits for children:

• Promotes independence.
• Encourages children to try new foods.
• Enhances their vocabulary
• Enhances fine motor skills and social skills

Family – Style Dining in Childcare

• Separate the food into different bowls for proteins, carbohydrates, fruits and veggies
• Ensure that child-size serving dishes and utensils are provided.
• Be a role model – try new foods.
• Engage in conversation.
• Pay attention to allergies and cross contamination.
• Show how to use utensils through hand over hand support while serving dishes.
• Have children of various abilities sit together to enjoy the meal. Children will learn from watching one another.