Strategies to Discuss Picky Eating with Parents
Teamwork with parents is essential!
- Collaboration and support from parents is vital to help children improve their picky eating tendencies both in the classroom and home environments
- If a student’s picky eating tendencies are concerning, it is best to set up a meeting with the child’s parents
- You can request a stand alone meeting or incorporate it into an existing upcoming parent-teacher conference
Tips to discuss picky eating at school
- If the parents are choosing from menu items for school lunch ahead of time for their child, request that parents choose foods that are common and liked by their child
- School lunchtime is not the optimal place for a parent to want their child to try new foods
- In the event the child refuses to eat the novel food item, there may not be an alternative nutritious meal option able to be offered
- If a child consistently does not want to eat the school lunch, let the parents know
- Kindly request that they send lunch from home instead if that is conducive to your school policies and procedures
- Make sure the child’s parents are on the same page as you with regard to encouraging their child to eat certain foods.
- Some parents may not be concerned with their children's eating habits and may not be open to making changes.
- Did you know? Constructive conversations can serve as learning opportunities for the parent to try new feeding techniques in the home to help overcome the selective eating patterns in their child.
Tips to help with picky eating at home
- Encourage parents to not tell their child that they are being picky – children may internalize this which can further enhance their selective eating patterns
- Suggest for parents to offer foods multiple times – patience is key. It may take 10-15 times before a child shows any interest in the food item
- Tell parents to encourage their child to take a bite – but try not to force children to eat
- Suggest for parents to include children in the food shopping and meal preparation
- Remind parents it is important to not force or trick a child into eating something such as hiding ingredients within other foods
- Suggest to not provide snacks too close to meal times – this will fill children's stomachs and they may not be hungry or willing to eat the meal
- Wait to provide milk or juice before the child eats – this will also fill them up and they will not be hungry for food
- If a parent wants to introduce a new food item, pair the new item with a food their child likes
- Have family meals when possible – allow the children to see their parents and siblings eating the same foods they are served
- Note: Encourage parents to speak with their pediatrician if you believe the child’s selective eating patterns are severe. Severe picky eating may require guidance from a professional.