Problems occur when the indirect teaching is not consistent with the parents' values or when the direct and indirect teaching conflict with each other, as when a person is rewarded with a hot fudge sundae for sticking to a diet. Awareness of the direct and indirect lessons can help to avoid these problems. In summary, parents influence their children's eating habits by providing choices for them, by teaching them information about nutrition, by helping them form values, and through discipline techniques. Parents who want to change their children's eating behavior should consider using one or a combination of those approaches. Turn off the TV and radio and try to avoid topics of discussion that will lead to arguments.
Plates are more likely to be cleaned off if small portions of food are offered each time.
Avoid making too many rules for mealtime. Do not expect children to act more grown-up at the table than you do elsewhere. Let them be children, but encourage them to grow. Give your children attention when they are behaving well at the table so they do not need to misbehave in order to get your attention. Introduce only one new food at a time.