Family Style Meals: Tips for Dealing with Messes

University Communications Author

04/20/2016 Added

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Childcare providers discuss methods for promoting children’s healthy eating habits.

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[00:00:08.727](upbeat music)
[00:00:13.807]Hi, is everything okay?
[00:00:15.507]Didn't lunch go well today in your class?
[00:00:18.607]Oh, they loved it, but it's just so stressful
[00:00:20.808]getting everyone served.
[00:00:22.227]Oh, why don't you try family style,
[00:00:23.888]and let them serve themselves?
[00:00:25.147]Ah, isn't that like super messy?
[00:00:27.947]I mean our kids can't even hold
[00:00:29.647]their milk cups without spilling it.
[00:00:31.567]It would just be too messy,
[00:00:33.187]we'd have to clean everyone up and the room.
[00:00:34.987]We serve family style in my classroom all the time.
[00:00:37.407]Messes happen of course,
[00:00:38.948]but we just clean them up and keep going.
[00:00:40.287]We also teach the kids to clean up after themselves.
[00:00:42.227]No big deal.
[00:00:43.168]Ah, that just seems like way too much work.
[00:00:45.137]It's just easier this way.
[00:00:46.337]Maybe in the short term,
[00:00:47.838]but during playtime if paint spills on the floor,
[00:00:50.598]we don't say no more painting,
[00:00:52.158]we just teach them to clean it up.
[00:00:53.918]It's the same idea.
[00:00:55.218]Plus the kids learn social skills,
[00:00:57.245]and how to help themselves when they have to
[00:00:59.086]pass bowls around the table,
[00:01:00.606]and say please and thank you.
[00:01:01.965]They can even learn about portions and counting.
[00:01:03.825]They get better the more they do it.
[00:01:05.445]It takes a while, but it works.
[00:01:07.725]Okay, but I bet you go through a lot of paper towels.
[00:01:11.005]Of course, but first I spend time
[00:01:13.525]teaching the kids how to serve themselves.
[00:01:15.206]During play time I model scooping, pouring,
[00:01:18.438]using sand and moon clay and water.
[00:01:20.598]The hand on hand method works really well if they need help.
[00:01:22.838]I use different size measuring cups
[00:01:25.118]to practice the dipping and the serving.
[00:01:26.698]That's brilliant, actually.
[00:01:28.738]Yeah, they learn how to scoop and how to pour,
[00:01:31.818]and how to use tongs to pick up the food
[00:01:33.858]and put it on their plates.
[00:01:35.178]Eventually they get better at serving themselves
[00:01:37.256]and meal time become less messy.
[00:01:39.015]They just need practice.
[00:01:40.335]It sounds good, but isn't it a lot more work?
[00:01:43.496]Actually, I think they're less work.
[00:01:46.315]It saves time when I sit and eat with the kids.
[00:01:48.955]First I put all the food on the table to start with,
[00:01:51.255]then I don't have to get up during the meal.
[00:01:53.116]Then I can reach over and help the kids if they need it,
[00:01:55.295]but they really like serving themselves.
[00:01:57.635]Hm, maybe I'll just start with like at snack time
[00:02:01.395]and get some finger foods to get them going.
[00:02:03.295]Good idea, just keep doing it over and over,
[00:02:05.475]they'll get it.
[00:02:06.915]You know what?
[00:02:07.815]I'm getting excited to try this family style meal.
[00:02:09.875]Good, I think you'll find it makes meal times
[00:02:12.075]more fun and pleasant and give kids
[00:02:13.715]opportunities for development.
[00:02:15.395](upbeat music)

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Family Style Meals: Tips for Dealing with Messes

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