If the child s physical development is within normal range, then parents will know their child is growing and is getting enough to eat. Some children simply do not like the tastes or textures of certain foods. Some children want to feed themselves and their pace and skill level may not meet parent expectations. Some children may eat more than enough food on one day and hardly any the next day. Some children feel overwhelmed by a large quantity of food on their plate.
Some children use the opportunity to assert their independence by refusing to eat.
To encourage healthy eating habits, Nida suggests that parents try to serve meals and snacks about the same time each day. Parents can also offer their child choices about the foods he or she will eat. Allow children to feed themselves. Serve small quantities of food. A serving for a young child is only about one tablespoon per year of age.