Bad eating habits

[Dreamalittledream]

So many of the things I hear that parents do at home baffles me, but not much we can do but offer the best we can at our Daycares. I heard really good advice on this forum early on and it honestly enters my mind every time I have a frustrating food situation.

It is our job to offer healthy options. If they actually consume them or not is out of our control.

Lessons I've learned are to serve very very small portions of everything to start (more to follow if everything is eaten on their plate), I serve the slow eaters first (and clear everyone's plates away at the same time whether slow eater is done or not) and I serve drinks at the end of meals and snacks. I do have a '1 bite' rule that they please try a tiny bit. If they don't like it, no biggie. I don't tailor my menu at all over what one may not like (I keep having them try it). I don't stress, or react at all, in fact, if they eat very little or very slowly (I've found any negative reaction really just gets them upset and gets us nowhere). Just some things that have worked for me. I wish you much luck!