4 steps to take to create positive mealtimes

Mealtimes in an early education and care setting can often be busy for children and professionals alike. For children, it’s an exciting time of the day, exploring new tastes and filling their hungry little tummies. For professionals, it’s a time of acute observation to ensure safety and hygiene. But, for all involved, mealtimes are also a highly social situation and an opportunity to cultivate positive relationships with food, that value the benefits and enjoyment of a healthy balanced lifestyle. 

Celebrating small wins

New experiences can be a big thing for small people! Celebrate when a child tries a new food or eats a balanced meal, making it a rewarding experience that associates eating times with fun and pleasant moments.

Getting involved in the whole process

Encourage children to take part in food related routines such as setting the table, organising water bottles or cleaning up. This helps to support an active participation and sense of belonging within mealtimes as well as a sense of responsibility. Offer choices when possible, to help develop autonomy and independence, for example letting children choose between two healthy vegetables.

Incorporating the wider picture 

Meal and snack times are so much more than just the time at the table! Talk with children about the process of food preparation in your setting, making them aware of prepares it and where this takes place. Share the wider picture of where food comes from and talk about the importance of different food types for our bodies. 

Creating a social environment 

Demonstrate the use of basic table manners, such as saying "please" and "thank you" as well as waiting their turn. Mealtimes can be long periods for sitting and turn-taking. If a child is struggling with this, offer calm and positive guidance, such as getting down from the table to move away and regulate elsewhere, or support with actions at the table. 

Conclusion and infographic

Mealtimes are valuable occasions for everyone to get together and for professionals to have quality 1-1 interactions with children. Encouraging a positive relationship with food in the early years is a significant factor for developing healthy lifestyles and attitudes later on in life. Our role at the lunch table spans much more than just safety and serving!

Find out more!

A lot has changed in our value of healthy eating in the last 30 years! Why not explore this scoping review of mealtimes in early education and care to think about the wider changes in policy and practice?