Feeding Young Children

Tip 1.  Always serve less than you think the child will eat

Tip 2.  Serve simple unmixed foods except for common combinations like spaghetti, etc.

Tip 3.  Serve foods easily handled like mashed potatoes or peas

Tip 4.  Consider how much chewing is needed  A good combination is one crisp food, one soft food, one chewy food

Tip 5.  Cut food into bite-size pieces

Tip 6.  Serve unfamiliar food or a new food with a familiar one

Tip 7.  Generally serve food at room temperature

Tip 8.  Table, chairs and equipment should be suited to children

Tip 9.  Space meals so the child is mildly hungry, not fatigued from hunger

Tip 10.  Center attention on food at mealtime

General Tips for Food and Activity Balance

• Try to have your child drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
• Play, exercise, participate in sports, or do any other physical activity for at least 1 hour a day  
• No television viewing for children under 2 years
• Limit television viewing for children to 2 hours a day for kids over 2 years old