Nutrition Guidance Manual - WI Child Nutrition Programs (FNS)

Phrases that Help and HinderFamily Child Care FUNdamentals (National Food Service Management Institute)Phrases that HinderEat that for me.If you do not eat one more bite, Iwill be mad.Phrases like these teach children toeat for your approval. This can leadchildren to have unhealthy behaviors,attitudes, and beliefs about food andabout themselves.You’re such a big girl; you finishedall your peas.Jenny, look at your sister. She ateall of her bananas.You have to take one more bitebefore you leave the table.Phrases like these teach children toignore fullness. It is better forchildren to stop eating when full orsatisfied than when all of the food hasbeen eaten.See, that didn’t taste so bad, did it?This implies to children that they werewrong to refuse the food. This canlead to unhealthy attitudes about foodor self.No dessert until you eat yourvegetables.Stop crying and I will give you acookie.Offering some foods, like dessert, inreward for finishing others, likevegetables, makes some foods seembetter than others. Getting a foodtreat when upset teaches children toeat to feel better. This can lead toovereating.Phrases that HelpThis is kiwi fruit; it’s sweet like astrawberry.These radishes are very crunchy!Phrases like these help to point outthe sensory qualities of food. Theyencourage children to try new foods.Is your stomach telling you thatyou’re full?Is your stomach still making itshungry growling noise?Has your tummy had enough?Phrases like these help children torecognize when they are full. This canprevent overeating.Do you like that?Which one is your favorite?Everybody likes different foods,don’t they?Phrases like these make children feellike they are making the choices. Italso shifts the focus toward the tasteof food rather than who was right.We can try these vegetables againanother time. Next time, would youlike to try them raw instead ofcooked?I am sorry you are sad. Come hereand let me give you a hug.Reward children with attention andkind words. Comfort them with hugsand talks. Show love by spending timeand having fun together.40