A couple of months ago I had a conversation with Zara about her son’s eating habits. I caught up with Zara last week to see how it was going.
Sehrish: I just wanted to have a quick conversation with you about how Musa’s doing with his eating at home. Have you seen any differences?
Zara: Yes, I have – definitely! He’s more interested in food now and starting to taste new things like strawberries. That’s something he never wanted to do before, so I’m really pleased about it.
Sehrish: Brilliant! That sounds like such a good start. We’ve seen changes too. The other day we made bread rolls together and Musa decided to add cheese to his roll - he seemed to really enjoy it. We also made some delicious honey biscuits and, as we added eggs to the mixture, he told me that he doesn’t eat eggs. However, he did eat the biscuits and loved them! I think that previously he would have been put off by the eggs and not had any.
Zara: That’s amazing - yes, he came home and told me that we need to make some honey biscuits because he knows how to! He’s been helping me out in the kitchen - chopping up vegetables and fruit and helping me mix the ingredients. He’s been enjoying it.
Sehrish: That sounds great. How’s his eating in general now? I’ve noticed that some days he comes to the snack table and tries new foods. Other times he’ll come and have a look, or drink some water, but not eat.
Zara: Yes, that’s a bit like at home. He’s started to try more new foods but still struggles with it. Sometimes he’ll just smell or lick a new food, or he’ll try something like chicken but just taste it and then spit it out.
Sehrish: Sure – I want to assure you that’s normal. It can take many licks and bites before children accept new food! Just carry on giving him lots of chances to try out new tastes and to try the same food again after a week or two’s break. Just be careful not to put any pressure on him - it’s important that he explores at his own pace.
Zara: Yes, I can see that, so I’m trying to be relaxed around him – I think I am most of the time! I also let him serve his own food from the dinner table so that he can choose what he wants to eat and how much. I’ve noticed that he enjoys doing that.
Sehrish: That’s great! I can see that you’re both doing amazingly, so just carry on doing what you’re doing to support him and do let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. We’ll introduce him to new recipes and baking since he seems to really enjoy that, and we’ll put out some different tastes at snack time and see how he goes.
Zara: Thank you, Sehrish, I’ll let you know how we’re getting on. We’re making homemade pizzas today - hoping it will be a success!
Sehrish: Oh, that sounds lovely – enjoy!
About our conversation
I feel pleased with Musa’s progress – he seems to be going in the right direction. I’m also happy for Zara - she was so worried when we first spoke but is now more relaxed. I think Zara’s benefitting from us working together as a team – we’re sharing Musa’s difficulty. I think trying to reduce the parent’s anxiety is a main part of the work when it comes to fussy eating.
The NHS advises parents not to worry – at Sheringham we do our best to support them with this.
Encouraging children to eat healthily and enjoy food is part of our day-to-day practice. The promoting self-care approach in the EEF’s Early Years Evidence Store states that:
‘To promote healthy habits, educators introduced activities on healthy eating and drinking, physical activity, screen-time and sleep. There is good evidence that when educators promote healthy habits, it can improve children’s knowledge about food and drink, their willingness to try new or healthy foods and the time they spend being physically active’.
We are witnessing this with Musa - it’s rewarding to see!
Questions for reflection:
- How do you celebrate food in your setting?
- What is your attitude to reluctant or fussy eaters? (the children will pick up on it)
- Focus on a child who is a fussy eater – are you working with their parent(s)?