Small children love to help and be creative especially if they are praised for helping. One way to encourage them to help and eat better is to engage them in food preparation. This can be use to introduce foods to a fussy eater. It will expose the child to the food several times before offering the food on the plate. It will also develop their fine motor skills.

What you need

• Small bowl of water
• Fruit and or vegetables to wash
• A small brush for washing the vegetables or a cloth to rub them
• Tea towel for drying.

Instructions

• Half fill the bowl of water
• Show the child how to clean the vegetable or fruit
• Show the child how to dry the vegetable or fruit
• Give the child pieces of fruit and vegetable to wash in the bowl
• Praise the child for their efforts
• Talk about the fruit or vegetable to the child explaining how and where it grows, cooking time and what it tastes like.

Have Fun!

Frances Byatt-Smith RN RHV BA Psychology

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