Chapter 16 Feeding Toddlers & Young Children

Chapter 16
Feeding Toddlers & Young Children
Marotz, Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child, 10th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be
scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Marotz, Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child, 10th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned,
copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Toddler Development and Eating Behaviors (1 of 2)
• Developments that influence toddlers’ eating behaviors:
• Physical changes
• Rate of growth slows considerably
• Choking remains a hazard
• Appetite decreases
• Motor skills improve; toddlers can use utensils and drink
from a cup, but need much practice

Toddler Development and Eating Behaviors (2 of 2)
• Social development
• Experiences frequent mood swings
• Struggles with autonomy and asserting their independence
• Still experimenting with strong taste and texture preferences; not uncommon for
toddlers to spit food out or use their hands to remove it from their mouth
• Enjoys adult attention and approval

Preschool- and School-Age Children: Development
and Eating Behaviors (1 of 3)
• Developments that influence older children’s eating
behaviors:
• Physical changes
• Growth continues at a slower pace and often in spurts
• Appetite is good, but children prefer smaller meals and
eating often

• Motor skills
• Are able to feed themselves independently; may
still experience many spills and accidents
• Enjoys helping with food preparation

• Social development
• Younger children commonly dawdle during mealtime; older children are often in a
hurry to finish and return to their activities.
• They imitate the food preferences of others.
• Older children are often eager to try new foods.

Supporting Positive Feeding Practices (1 of 3)
• Adults’ are responsible only for providing nutritious
foods and meals for children to eat.
• Follow MyPlate recommendations (Figure 16-1;
https://www.choosemyplate.gov).
• Consider variety, flavor, texture, color, and temperature
when planning meals (Figure 16-2 and 16-3).

• Children determine what they will eat and how much food they are willing to
eat.
• Serving sizes should be appropriate for child’s age.
• Expect skipped meals and picky eating.
• Avoid letting children fill up on milk if they won’t eat.
• Respecting these roles reduces power struggles and helps children develop
trust and independence.

• Children are in the process of establishing lifelong eating and activity habits,
so it is important to:
• Be a positive role model.
• Encourage children to try new foods and activities.
• Watch this beautiful children’s story about healthy eating and diabetes prevention by
clicking on the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jt_ce2aKO8

Physical Activity Pyramid for Young Children
Color Me Healthy...preschoolers moving
and eating healthy

Children with Special Feeding Needs
• Children who have developmental delays or medical conditions may also
have special feeding needs. They:
• May not recognize when they are hungry or not be able to express hunger
• Have a tendency to overeat
• Are more prone to choking
• May be taking medication that interferes with nutrient absorption or increases the
need for certain nutrients
• Have an increased tendency toward food allergies

Mealtime Environments (1 of 2)
• Time meals and snacks so children will feel
hungry. Encourage physical activity to
improve their appetite.
• Consider the ease of eating foods, especially
with younger children.
• Warn children 5 to 10 minutes before a meal
so they have time to anticipate and prepare
for a change in activity.

Mealtime Environments (2 of 2)
• Maintain regular times for meals.
• Make mealtime a pleasant and relaxed
experience.
• Don’t use food as a reward.
• Acknowledge desirable eating habits.
• Provide chairs, tables, and eating utensils
that are comfortable for children to use.
• Involve children in meal preparation.

Snacks
• Snacks can make a positive contribution to children’s diets by supplying
nutrients that may be lacking.
• Snacks should be nutrient-dense foods. High-fat, high-sugar items fill
children up but also replace essential nutrients.
• This is a good time to introduce new foods for children to try.
• Avoid letting children eat whenever they are hungry.

Chapter 16 Feeding Toddlers & Young Children

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Chapter 16 Feeding Toddlers & Young Children