“Development Of Meal Time Behavior”
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Understanding a child's developmental stage of eating will help you learn what to expect from a child at mealtime.

Being aware of typical behaviors will help eliminate frustrations for both you and the children.

1 Year Old

Appetite: May not eat equally well at all meals.

Food preferences are becoming well defined: usually show a preference for certain cereals and vegetables.

Independence and Ability to Participate in Family Style Dining: May finger feed part of meal. A few children may refuse any help. Many insist on standing to eat. May need a toy or two to hold if being fed.

Some children this age can begin to sit in a three-sided chair. Whether in a three-sided chair or a high chair, pull them up to the dining table to join the family. Expect children this age to be very messy eaters. Be prepared with patience and a sponge.

18 Months Old

Appetite: May be decreasing. Usually less than that of a vigorous infant. Appetite usually best for noon meal.

Refusals and Preferences: Changes a lot.

Independence and Ability to Participate in Family Style Dining: Enjoys feeding self and may do so for all of the meals with some help in filling spoon.

Definitely should join the family at the dining table, preferably sitting in a three-sided chair. May want to eat off of other plates or out of serving bowl.

Should be an increase in the amount of time he/she spends at the table. May be able to pass some foods with your help. Should be able to give you the empty dish when finished.

2 Years Old

Appetite: Fair to moderately good. Noon meal usually the best.

Refusals and Preferences: Two year olds typically show a sharp decrease in appetite as their rate of growth is slower than the first year. They may become discouraged by large servings.

Many are fussy, hard to please or go on food jags or refusals. Can name foods and likes or dislikes.

Doesn't like strained foods or foods mixed together. Likes whole pieces of foods. May like certain tastes, shapes, textures and colors, especially reds or yellows.

Independence and Ability to Participate in Family Style Dining: Most two year olds are ready to sit at the table in regular chairs. They are learning to manipulate serving spoons and pour from small pitchers with assistance.

They can begin to serve themselves and some of them may be able to pass bowls or plates of food. Some two year olds can feed themselves without help and may not want anyone nearby. Others may need help.

There tends to be two extreme groups of eaters: messy and neat. Children this age can scrape leftover food off their plates into the garbage and put their dirty plates, silverware, and cups in the appropriate places.

They can usually clean up their own spills.

2 1/2 Year Olds

Appetite: Often varies between very good and very poor. Usually eats one good meal - noon or evening.

Refusals and Preferences: More defined than at two years of age. Food jags continue. May favor meat, fruit, and butter. Will feed himself the food he likes. Eats other foods if fed to him. Totally refuses disliked foods, especially green vegetables. (This does not mean you should stop offering green vegetables. Eventually a child may try them and like them.)

Independence and Ability to Participate in Family Style Dining: May feed self entire meal or want to eat some and ask for help with the rest. Likes routines. Demands same foods, dishes, or arrangement of dishes. Children this age can pass food and are becoming good at manipulating serving spoons.

3 Years Old

Appetite: Fairly good. Improved appetite from age two. Less changeable than before. Milk intake may be increasing.

Refusals and Preferences: Less defined than earlier. Meat, fruit, milk, dessert, sweets favored but also eats vegetables. Likes foods that need chewing. May ask for special foods as meal is prepared. Fluctuating tastes may appear at this age.

Independence and Ability to Participate in Family Style Dining: Feeds self and eats well. Demands for attention while eating may be excessive . Begins to master pouring and use of serving utensils, and can scoop and balance. Understands the concept of quantity better (as in the command "just take one"). Begins to understand the concept of sharing and can pass foods.

4 and 5 Years Old

When children reach this age they have mastered the mechanics of eating and have learned the skills needed to participate fully in family style dining. They are usually more interested in colors, textures, and tastes of foods and may become more willing to try new foods. They are also beginning to develop very individual tastes and food preferences. Children this age love to help. You may want to give them specific age appropriate duties.

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