In this essay it is going to describe the main aspects which have to be taken into consideration when presenting foods to young children. When food is presented to young children at mealtimes it can either be an enjoyable, relaxed, social occasion; which is how mealtimes should be to encourage children into learning both routine and table manners. Or sometimes mealtimes can become a time that is extremely stressful for both the parents and the children and can also be fulfilled with temper tantrums, family arguments and negative feelings. It is important that food is presented correctly to young children, as there are many educational, social and physical skills learnt throughout mealtimes of which children will use during the future. .
The presentation of food to young children is something which needs considering as the presentation of foods to children is the decision of whether they decide to eat it or leave it. If their plate of food has a variety of colours and different textures; they are more likely to engage with the food as it is exciting. When children's plate has got foods of different colors on it, they are learning sensory skills as they will be able to point to different foods and tell you what color they are; and this then encourages conversation and social skills are learnt over mealtimes as well as just at school. .
When presenting young children's meal to them, make sure they have their own personal set of cutlery to use; this then encourages the child to learn how to eat properly and correctly like everyone else at the dinner table. Children may find it difficult to use cutlery to begin with, so patience is extremely necessary as the child will need showing several times and lots of practice before they can do it independently, this is why it is important to eat at a table to be able to show and teach children how to use and carry out table manners correctly and efficiently.