# Presentation: 132827

## Make Meals MemorableTake Time to Eat Together and Talk With Your Family.

- Haga memorables las comidas
- Tome tiempo para comer y conversar con su familia

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**Notes:**
Today we are going to talk about how to Make Meals Memorable.  Some of our most memorable moments with our families take place at mealtimes.  

(Use the following questions to begin an active discussion with participants.)

How many days per week does your family eat their meals together?
Which meal do you you usually eat together as a family?
Can you think of good reason for your family to eat meals together as often as possible?

## What picture best shows how your child eats his/her meals?

**What picture best shows how your child eats his/her meals?**
***¿Qué figura muestra mejor cómo su niño come sus comidas?***

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**Notes:**

Some of our most memorable moments with our families take place at mealtimes.  

Looking at these pictures, which best shows how your child eats his/her meals?

## Eating together is important!

**Eating together is important!**
***¡Comer juntos es importante!***

**Eating together as a family can help your child:**
- Build strong family relationships.
- Eat healthier.
- Learn table manners.
- Develop social skills.

***Comer juntos en familia puede ayudar a su niño a:***
*Crear fuertes lazos familiares*.
*Comer más sano.*
*Aprender los buenos modales*
*    **de la mesa.*
*Desarrollar destrezas sociales.*

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**Notes:**
Mealtimes are very important for families.,  It is more than just a time for eating.

(Choose two or more of the following statements to focus on with the client.)

It is a time for children to learn about family and build relationships.  It is a chance to talk about good things that happened during the day.
Children that eat together with their families are more likely to eat healthier foods.
Shared meals that are prepared at home save money.
Shared meals can help your child learn table manners, social skills, family values, a sense of community and basic cooking skills.
Children in families that eat together do better in school and get along with other children better.
Family meals are a time to practice faith and spiritual beliefs.

## Meals With Your 2 Year OldComidas Con Su Niño De 2 Años

**Can use a cup.****P****uede usar una taza.**
**Spills often.****H****ace derrames a menudo.**
**Likes to eat with his/her hands.****L****e gusta comer con las  manos.**

**At this age your child...**
**A esta edad su niño...**

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## Meals With Your 2 Year OldComidas Con Su Niño De 2 Años

**Likes routine. ****Le gusta la rutina. **
**May need to taste, touch and smell new foods 7-10 times before accepting them.****Quizás tenga que probar, tocar y oler nuevos alimentos de 7 a 10 veces antes de aceptarlos.**

**At this age your child...**
**A esta edad su niño...**

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**Notes:**
More about 2 year olds....

Children like routine.  Have family meals at a regular time and in a certain place, this helps them to know what to expect and helps them to feel secure.

Children are often hesitant to try new foods.  They may need to touch, taste, see and smell a new food 7-10 times before they accept it.  

So, continue to offer a food even if your child appears to not like it at first.  

Never force your child to eat a certain food.  This will only make him/her dislike the food more! 

## Meals With Your 3-4 Year Old...Comidas Con Su Niño De 3 a 4 Años...

**Can serve and pass foods to others.****Puede servir y pasar los alimentos a otras personas.**
**Can use a fork. ****Puede usar un tenedor. **
**L****ikes foods in various shapes and colors.****Le gusta los alimentos de diversas formas y colores.**

**At this age your child...**
**A esta edad su niño...**

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**Notes:**
Who has a child that is 3-4 years old?
What is mealtime like with your 3-4 year old?

By the time children are 3-4 years of age, they can serve themselves and pass food to others. 
Preschoolers can also use a fork.  
Child-size, thick-handled forks and spoons are often easier for children to handle.  
Plates with raised sides and bowls help them to get their food on their fork or spoon.
Preschoolers like foods in various shapes, colors and textures. 
Preschool children may not like mixed foods or casseroles.
Preschool children like their food neither too hot nor too cold.

## Likes pretending to be the cook.Le gusta pretender que es el cocinero.
Can help with simple preparation tasks.Puede ayudar con tareas de preparación sencillas.

**Can help with simple preparation tasks.****Puede ayudar con tareas de preparación sencillas.**

- Meals with your 3-4 year old...Comidas con su niño de 3 a 4 años...

**At this age your child...**
**A esta edad su niño...**

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**Notes:**
More about 3-4 year olds....

Does anyone’s child like to help prepare meals?
What do they like to do?

Food preparation can be a wonderful way to help kids learn about new foods.
Children are more likely to try foods that they help prepare.  
Make sure these activities are appropriate to your child’s age.
Activities like washing fruits and vegetables, measuring, mixing and spreading are often good activities.  

## Watches to see what others are eating.Ve lo que están comiendo las otras personas.
Is influenced by television.Es influenciado por la televisión.

**Is influenced by television.****Es influenciado por la televisión****.**

- Meals with your 3-4 year old...Comidas con su niño de 3 a 4 años...

**At this age your child...**
**A esta edad su niño...**

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**Notes:**
More about 3-4 year olds....

At this age, your child likes to imitate others and will watch to see what you are eating.
Set a good example by eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean meats.

Children at this age are influenced by what they see on television.
It is a good idea to turn the TV off during meal times as the TV can steal your child’s attention during mealtime.  This keeps your child from paying attention to the rest of the family and his/her food.  
Turning the TV off during mealtimes can help Make Meals Memorable in your home.

## When You Have a Fussy EaterCuando Tiene Un Niño Caprichoso Para Comer

**Offer your child a variety of foods at meal and snack times.****Ofrecer una variedad de comidas cada dìaa la hora de comer o de la merienda.**** **
**You decide what food to put on the table. Let your child decide how much to eat.****El padre sirve la comida y deja que el ni****ñ****o decida la cantidad a comer.**** **
**Your child watches to see what you are eating. Set a good example.****Su niño ve lo que usted come. Dé un buen ejemplo.**

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**Notes:**
Promote Memorable Meals

At this age, your child is going through some changes.  Your toddler or preschooler may want to eat the same food three days in a row and the next day refuse to eat it at all. He or she may refuse lunch, but is begging for some potato chips 15 minutes later.  What's happening here?  
Now that your child is older, he/she is not growing as fast.  Your child's appetite will vary with how active he/she is.  This is normal.
As a parent, it is your job to provide healthy foods at regular times.
It is your child's job to decide what and how much he or she will eat of the foods you provide.
Never force, bribe or pressure your child to eat certain foods.
Offer meals and snacks at regular times.  Allowing your child to nibble all day often means that they will not be hungry at meals.
Set a good example by eating healthy foods.

## Make Meals Memorable.Take Time to Eat Together and Talk With Your Family.

- Haga memorables las comidas.
- Tome tiempo para comer y conversar con su familia.

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**Notes:**
To Make Meals Memorable plan ahead what your are going to have and who is going to be responsible for preparing the meal.
Planning meals together with your family helps you Make Meals Memorable for your child.

Would you be willing to plan regular mealtimes for you and your child?
How often could you eat together as a family?
What can you do this week or tonight to Make Meals Memorable in your home?