The quality of children’s meals is not only evaluated based on nutritional adequacy, but also other relevant and significant factors such as techniques and principles of eating. Many parents might have a “headache” when each meal at home is always an “undefeated battle”. Hence, what should be done to improve the quality of children’s meals to help them stay healthy and parents can “feel better”?

One of the secrets to enhance your child’s eating experience is to turn their meal into a “party” for all the senses. Let’s discover more about the following supporting factors so each meal could turn into an interesting discovering journey.

• AUTHORITATIVE FEEDING STYLE

The concept of “children eat what their parents cook for” is no longer suitable for many parents today, especially those who teach their children according to the Montessori method. Instead, parents will tend to listen to opinions, even allow their children to participate in the preparation process. With this method, parents might need to provide quite more information their children about the role and reason for choosing and having these foods. This could help them form the right attitudes to food and get “easier to eat”.

At IMA, before each meal, children can express their appreciation for food by singing “Thank you, Food” – a famous Montessori song. This is also how they show their gratitude to uncles and aunties from The Caterers for cooking delicious and nutritious meals.

• THE “MATURE” BABY IN THE FAMILY MEAL

The family meal can be considered as the Montessori Cultural Corner. Aside from the chance to practice fine motor skills such as holding, grasping, picking, etc., children can acquire proper knowledge such as table manners, gratitude etiquette, meal culture. Therefore, instead of letting children eat alone, parents should let them “join” at the table with the adults in the family so that children can observe and learn their parents’ eating habits and styles. Surely parents will get surprised as their baby is growing bigger and more mature!

In the mixed-age classroom, students eat together no matter how old they are. IMA has observed that they have the habit of learning and absorbing from each other during each meal. For example, Sushi – a very lovely baby, a big sister in Cherry’s class who always support the younger one to prepare their meals and help teachers to clean up after eating. Just like the way Sushi was influenced by the older peers, she will be a great sister for other young students to learn from.

• MONTESSORI STANDARD MENU, SHAPING CHILDREN’S HABITS, COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

A standard Montessori meal for children must firstly be a meal that meet the requirements of each child which is a full of nutritional one with the right proportions recommended by the Institute of Nutrition. To prepare such Montessori meals at home, parents should separate main dishes, vegetables, and soups into different portions so that children can actively manipulate, handle and coordinate using eating utensils instead of mixing food or feeding for children. Separating foods can also help children contemplate and appreciate the flavors and textures of individual foods.

At IMA, the non-repeat weekly menu can ensure the above criteria. In addition, we always observe and remember children’s eating habits. Each meal is not only to fill babies’ stomachs but is a premise for children to feel excited and ready for the journey to explore the world at this age.

From the above suggestions, IMA believes that parents have gained more confidence to prepare adequate meals for children, organize it as a journey of the senses which provide full of nutrition for children to grow up healthy and happy.

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