Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children: Provider Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment • http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov 

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment 

Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children: 

Provider Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program 

A child’s eating environment may be as important as the 

foods he or she eats. While food nourishes children’s 

bodies physically, mealtime serves as emotional 

nourishment. Positive interactions and patience are 

important, as is an engaging eating experience. Child 

care providers can promote positive attitudes toward 

food and create a friendly eating environment to help 

children form lifelong healthy eating habits. 

How can I provide a comfortable and safe place for children to eat? 

Plan your environment carefully, while thinking about the larger eating space, as well as 

the table-setting.* To create a pleasant environment when children eat meals and snacks, 

you can: 

Provide child-sized tables and chairs. 

Adults may want to sit on low chairs or crates 

to keep from “hovering” over the 

children. Children will be more relaxed when 

adults are next to, but not above, them. 

Provide child-sized dinnerware and utensils. 

z Purchase dinnerware and utensils made for 

young children or use smaller plates and 

bowls, like salad or dessert plates. 

zzUse non-disposable dishes, cups, and 

utensils that are difficult to break. 

Create a more home-like environment. 

zzLet children help set the table with small 

table decorations like a vase of flowers or 

seasonal gourds. This can also be a mealtime 

conversation starter. 

zzHave children make decorated name cards 

that can be laminated and re-used. 

Plan for spills and easy clean-up. 

z Use cloth placemats or table covers along 

with, or instead of, plastic tablecloths. This 

will absorb liquids, and sounds, for a less 

stressful meal. 

zzWhen spills do occur, teach children how 

to help clean them up. 

Before mealtime, clear the eating area of 

materials used during other times, such as 

art supplies, books, etc. 

* Be sure to follow local safety and sanitation regulations. 
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children: Provider Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment • http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov 

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment 

How can I make a smooth transition 

to mealtime? 

Busy and active young children often don’t want to sit and 

eat, so allow some time between high-energy activities and 

mealtimes. A calm transition to meals slows children down 

and helps them get ready to eat. 

Try some activities to help children slow down, such as: 

z Coloring or drawing
 

z Playing with blocks
 

z Listening to soft music
 

z Reading a story
 

z Talking about the meal
 

z Preparing and setting the table
 

Tell children a few minutes ahead of time 

that it will soon be time to eat. 

Turn off any electronic devices and keep them 

turned off during mealtime. 

Use handwashing as the first step of the meal. 

This will also encourage good hygiene. 

How can I get children involved in mealtime? 

Giving children a sense of independence at mealtime supports 

child development. Children of all ages can help prepare meals. When 

they are involved in meal preparation and share foods with others, they 

learn about food and feel a sense of pride. 

Cooking with children requires patience. It can be messy and doesn’t 

always exactly turn out the way the recipe intended! Once you make it a 

practice, you’ll find the benefits of including children in meal preparation 

far outweigh any drawbacks. 

more 'involve children in mealtime' tips on next page... 
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children: Provider Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment • http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov 

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

...more 'involve children in mealtime' tips 

Allow children to help prepare various food items for a meal, with proper supervision.* 

Age 2: Age 3: 

Two-year-olds are learning to use the large 

muscles in their arms. 

Try letting them: 

z Wipe table tops.
 

z Move premeasured dry ingredients 

from one place to another, or pour them 

into a bowl. 

z Wash and tear lettuce and salad greens. 

z Carry unbreakable items to the table. 

Three-year-olds are learning to use their hands. 

They can manage the tasks for age 2, and also: 

z Pour liquids into a bowl. 

z Mix ingredients such as batter (use an extra-large 

bowl to contain mess). 

z Spread soft spreads, such as hummus or peanut 

butter, on firm bread. 

z Knead dough. 

z Rinse fruits and vegetables. 

z Wrap potatoes in foil for baking. 

Ages 4 - 5: 

Children in this age group are learning to control smaller 

muscles in their fingers. In addition to all of the above, 

allow them to: 

z Scrub firm fruit, like apples. 

z Form round shapes (of dough or other soft foods) 

with hands. 

z Measure dry and liquid ingredients. 

z Peel loose-skinned oranges and hard-cooked eggs. 

z Beat eggs with an eggbeater or whisk. 

z Mash soft or cooked fruits and vegetables with a fork. 

*Check with your State agency or sponsoring organization for specific food handling requirements in

your community. 

Involve children in pre- and post-mealtime activities. With supervision, invite them to help: 

zzSet the table. 

zzBring food to the table. 

zzClear and clean the table after eating. 

Encourage children to do as much as possible for themselves. First efforts are an important 

step toward growth. 

Be patient, and be okay with messes. Think of it as an opportunity to teach about food safety 

and clean-up! 
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children: Provider Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment • http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov 

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

How can I make eating a pleasure for the children? 

Remember that we eat with all of our senses! Serve foods in ways that are both pleasantly 

exciting as well as soothing to children’s eyes, ears, touch, taste, and sense of smell. 

Keep it colorful. Children like lots of different colors on their plates. 

z Offer different colored foods on the same plate, for example, 

chicken, carrots, green grapes, and whole wheat bread. 

z Try serving a colorful salad with green lettuce, purple cabbage, and 

sliced cherry red tomatoes. 

 For children younger than 4 years old: 

•	Cut raw vegetables in small pieces no larger than

one-half inch (1⁄2") to prevent choking. 

• Offer cooked or soft vegetables to younger children

 

 

to prevent choking. 

• Slice cherry tomatoes, grapes, and other round foods in half,

and then cut into smaller pieces. 

Mix it up! Children prefer when their plates contain a variety of foods. 

z Prepare different varieties of the same food in a dish, such as different 

shaped pasta. Foods like beans and peas offer many different fun shapes, 

colors, and textures. 

 Try serving a tri-colored bean salad for lunch. 

 Serve beans and peas as great finger foods for toddlers. 

zzOffer hot and cold foods in the same meal, such as a hot entrée with a chilled fruit salad. 

zzServe food from other cultures to increase variety and teach about new foods.
 

Have theme days with recipes and activities from different cultures.
 

For great recipe ideas, visit the What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl Web site: 

http://www.whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/ 

Encourage positive feelings about eating. 

z Plan plenty of time to allow children to serve themselves and eat without feeling rushed. 

 Encourage children to take time to taste the food. 

zzLet children follow their hunger cues and allow them to leave food on their plates if they are 

full. They may learn to overeat if they are told to eat everything on their plates. 

zzAvoid using food as a reward (such as giving them a “treat” when they behave) or 

punishment (such as not allowing seconds if they spill their milk). 
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children: Provider Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment • http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov 

Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment 

How can I be a good role model? 

Children learn eating behaviors, such as what foods to eat and how much to eat, from 

their parents and other caregivers at home, as well as from child care providers. 

Set a good example: 

Sit with children during meals and eat the same foods they eat. 

Practice good table manners. 

Avoid labeling foods as being “good” or “bad.” 

Try new foods in front of children and encourage them to try them too.
 

Keep any negative experiences or feelings about food to yourself.
 

Focus on the meal and stay engaged with the children. Avoid doing other 

tasks during mealtime. 

Having “taste-test” activities outside of mealtime is a great way to let 

children explore food using all of their senses. Let them touch, feel, 

smell, and taste samples of food. They can also listen to cooking and food 

preparation sounds. 

Try some of the taste-test ideas in "Grow It, Try It, Like It! Preschool Fun with 

Fruits and Vegetables." http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/grow-it-try-it-it
 

Connect with Parents 

Send the message home. Share ChooseMyPlate.gov’s “Be a Healthy Role Model 

for Children” tip sheet with parents and other caregivers to encourage good role 

modeling at home too. 

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ten-tips-be-a-healthy-role-model 

You’ll also find great messages, tips and advice, and a Child Feeding Video for 

families on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service Core Nutrition Messages Child 

Feeding Web page. http://www.fns.usda.gov/core-nutrition/child-feeding 
Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment 

Activities 

What are some specific ways I can create a positive meal 

environment in my child care program? 

Which of these ideas will you try? Mark your choices. 

Make “Produce Placemats” from Grow It, Try It, Like It! Preschool Fun with Fruits and 

Vegetables, Booklet 1: The Basics, page 29. http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ 

growit_book1.pdf 

Choose a new recipe that has easy steps children can help with. Older preschoolers 

would enjoy following the “Look and Cook Recipes.” http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/ 

discover-myplate-look-and-cook-recipes 

Pick a special song to play when preparing the table for a meal. When the children hear 

the song, they will know the meal is about to start and it’s time to help set the table. 

You can download the “Reach for the Sky” song. http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/discovermyplate-nutrition-education-kindergarten 

Provide colorful cloth napkins that children can place on their laps (or tuck into their 

shirts) during meals and use to wipe their hands and mouths. You can buy these 

from a discount store. The sides of the squares can be folded over and sewn to keep 

from fraying when washed. Place them in a basket and have children choose one as 

they come to the table for a meal. After the meal, children can place the cloths in an 

appropriate basket for laundering. 

Include a “conversation starter” centerpiece on the table. Use it to get children talking 

about recent activities or discoveries, ongoing projects, or for teaching new words. 

The centerpiece could be made from items such as objects found on a nature walk or 

structures built from blocks. 

Other ideas:

U.S. Department of Agriculture • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Food and Nutrition Service • FNS-440 • June 2016

USDA and HHS are equal opportunity providers and employers.