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welcome
we're excited to share a few tips for
feeding one and two-year-olds in a child
care setting
toddlers are constantly learning and
developing
learning how to feed themselves at meal
times can be a big step in developing
independence
let's take a closer look at how we can
help them develop
important skills they'll use for life as
you know
toddlers are excited to learn new skills
and may be determined to feed themselves
at meals
and snacks did you know that children
can strengthen the small
muscles in their fingers when they pick
up bite-sized foods
and using child-size utensils and cups
gives children a chance to practice
their fine motor skills too
preparing table food that is soft and in
small bite-sized pieces
no larger than half an inch and that is
easier to pick up with their fingers
or a spoon or fork is one of the small
steps we take during meal time
to help children learn how to feed
themselves this also helps to lower the
risk of choking
to help toddlers develop their fine
motor skills and
lower the risk of choking you can offer
foods in bite-size
pieces and provide child-size utensils
we also help toddlers at meal time by
modeling how to eat with spoons
and forks let children practice feeding
themselves
even if it means a few more messy
moments
to cut down on the mess you can use
rubber bibs with pockets with each child
to catch the food
put paper a towel or a mat under the
children's chairs
teach children to clean up the mess let
children practice feeding themselves
as they strengthen their skills they
will create less mess
encouraging independence helps children
safely develop
important skills they'll use for life
are you encouraging your toddlers to eat
with child-sized utensils or
modeling how to self-feed we hope this
video will help you plan your steps
to encourage self-feeding with the
toddlers at your childcare site
for more information check out the meal
times with toddlers
in the child and adult care food program
booklet
at teamnutrition.usda.gov
