For some families, mealtimes together are only a dream. Being able to sit at the same table at the same time seems so unreachable. Some of the families that I work with have made some changes in their habits that have proven very successful in dining together.
If you are interested in having your child eat meals with you or even go out to eat as a family, read on for tips and strategies.
Why is it important to dine together?
Mealtime is a social time when we get together with family and/or friends to share a meal and conversation. Because ‘social interaction’ is often a goal for our kids, why not work on this goal within the daily routine of eating? This is a natural time to reflect on the day and have some uninterrupted “screen-free” time to interact. Having the habit of no devices at the table during meals will place the focus on the meal and the people who you are enjoying it with. Because everyone is seated at relatively the same height and facing each other, you are encouraging eye contact and social engagement.
Sitting at the table without devices will be a challenge!
Yes, many times it is challenging to change habits when a child has been distracted with a device in order to eat. If your child has concerns with eating habits, doesn’t eat much solid food, or has concerns with textures, contact your pediatrician. Discuss gaining a script for an evaluation with an occupational therapist or speech/language pathologist. You may also contact your local early intervention program for kids under 3 years.