Eating problems in children, such as food rejection or picky behavior, occur largely due to psychological reasons. Nutrition is the best way to express the communication between the child and the parents, and food rejection is the most powerful weapon used against parents.
Persistent fondness for a food or rejection of food is one of the common problems seen in the preschool period. It should not be forgotten that it is a part of normal development and that this behavior is actually an expression of the child's independence.
As a parent, the ability to stand patiently in the face of disappointment when the carefully prepared meals are left on the plate and the vitamin-source fruit juices prepared by mixing all the fruits are left in the glass, and the ability to control anger. We must gain the ability to control the food.
What should we do if the prepared food remains on the plate?
First of all, we should not be stubborn with the child on this issue, as in everything we want. As mothers, we can act emotionally and be persistent, but this will cause the child to move away from seeing eating as a natural need and will put the mother-child relationship on a difficult path.
Instead of being stubborn, we show the child that eating is a natural need through our conversations and actions. to show.
To be a model as a parent. All family members should be present at the dinner table during meal times, neither the father nor the mother should be picky about the food,
Reminding the child who is busy playing 15-20 minutes before the meal is prepared. It will be difficult for a child in this age group to quit playing. A child who cannot be reminded will be unhappy when he comes to the table and will not want to taste the food. When we remind him, such as "we will have dinner soon", we will help him adjust his game accordingly and we will not feel uncomfortable or even guilty at the dinner table.
We have a child who does not come to the dinner table even though you reminded him before the meal. if any; We should not be stubborn, the remaining family members can start their meals and this behavior of the child will be ignored.
The desire to eat somewhere other than the dinner table or offering a different food alternative reinforces this problematic behavior of the child. It causes obesity and unhealthy nutrition. It should not be forgotten that food is a natural need and should be eaten at the table.
It will not be healthy to give food to a child who does not sit at the table at meal time whenever he wants outside of meal time. Instead, it would be helpful if you could reply, "We only eat our meals at meal time. We called you while we were eating, but you did not come, so you have to wait until the next meal time." You can state that you will cook delicious food for him for the next meal. (in the training phase)
Play is very important for the child and games can also be used to help him get nutrition. Names can be given to the cookies made by giving shapes such as a smiling face or a car.
Asking how much you want before putting the food on the dinner plate. He has chosen the amount of food he will eat and will be responsible for his plate.
You can plan fun activities together after the meal and motivate him at the table. However, if you finish your meal, avoid behaviors that start with… and result in financial reward, because eating is a normal behavior.
You should not give the child constant commands such as finish your meal. Through these commands, we respond to children's need for attention, and the child will be able to attract attention. We know that eating is a need and a normal behavior. To date, no one has died of starvation, so there is no need for warning.
Give your child a choice of food, for example, ask him whether he wants peas or beans for dinner, so that he will choose the food and understand that the food will be vegetables.
You have the authority to determine the menu, do not change the menu just because your child does not like the options you offer. No matter how difficult it is, it is very important to teach our children healthy eating habits in the preschool period in order to prevent food wars in the future.
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