TEY 13.2

BETH DOWNIE IS A REGISTERED NUTRITIONIST. juicy, while another one from the same punnet may be less ripe, hard, or even sharp in taste. Just a single negative tasting experience can be enough for children to be reluctant to try another bite. Frustratingly, we don’t often see the same issue with manufactured food items – a crisp or chocolate biscuit, for example, is consistently made to the exact same specification. Children find this reassuring, hence why these items are less likely to be rejected over fresh food. Make food fun! W e all want to encourage children to get the full benefits of food by having a balanced and varied diet, allowing them to grow and thrive in the best possible way. However, we know there are times when it can be a challenge to get children to eat even the most everyday types of food. Reluctant eating is an unwillingness to eat familiar food or to try new foods, as well as strong food preferences. It is most common in children aged two to five years old and peaks around three years of age. For most children this is just a short phase, so perseverance is key. Often, the less fuss made about a child’s eating, the quicker the phase will pass. However, if it does become a persistent problem, this can result in poor dietary variety during early childhood. If a child is active, gaining weight, and eating foods from the main food groups, then there is no need to worry. WHY CAN CHILDREN BE RELUCTANT TO EAT? Experience of feeding difficulties during infancy An opportunity to assert themselves and take control of a situation Children generally are less inclined to eat bitter-tasting foods Sensory aspects: textures and colours can leave children less keen to taste (or repeat try) certain foods Dislike of foods touching or mixed with other foods Limited exposure to a wide variety of foods Children may refuse a certain food because it looks different. Think about a fresh strawberry – sometimes we pick one that is perfectly sweet and Be creative with foods and the way that they are prepared There’s lots you can do to encourage children to eat a healthy, balanced diet, says Beth Downie … EARLY YEARS ACTIVITIES Research evidence has found that experiential learning activities around food can improve children’s familiarity of, and thereby increase willingness to try, unfamiliar foods. Together with repeated taste exposure, it can help increase intake of those foods. There are many ways to incorporate food-based activities into the early years timetable and curriculum. The list below can be aligned into the different strands of the curriculum while encouraging the exploration of new foods. They can support the Early Learning Goals including Managing Self (understanding the importance of healthy food choices) and Fine Motor Skills (use a range of small tools, including scissors, paintbrushes and cutlery). Exposure to new foods and concepts through books, e.g. Oliver’s Vegetables and Oliver’s Fruit Salad by Vivian French; The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle; I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child; Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne; Avocado Asks by Momoko Abe Singing songs, e.g. “Five Currant Buns”, “Hot Cross Buns”, “10 Fat Sausages”, “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”. Being food explorers and using all five senses to discover new foods Taking part in food preparation, e.g. choosing their own fillings and making a sandwich or pouring their own drinks at snack time. Being creative with fruit and vegetables as tools for painting, printing or as still life to draw; this can help children become familiar with them, prior to tasting. Activities and games, e.g. pass the feely bag and guess the food; using a range of real food and talking about where it comes from (e.g. matching eggs to a photo of a chicken); encouraging role play in the toy kitchen; encouraging pupils to share their favourite foods with the class. Planting seeds in pots to help them learn more about how food can be grown. OTHER APPROACHES Eating with peers and staff at snack/ lunch time can help to encourage children to try new foods. If available in the setting, accessing school dinners can be helpful in widening tastes too. Encourage children to try a new food with these four steps: 1. Touch it… What does it feel like? 2. Sniff it… Can they describe what it smells like? 3. Lick it… What does it taste like? How 20 Teachearlyyears.com