Getting Ready for Kindergarten Lunchtime...

Are you wondering what you can do to get your preschooler ready for lunch time in the school cafeteria?

Here are some suggestions:

• Teach your child how to open and close a lunchbox, open those difficult little straws in the juice boxes, zip locks and other containers they may have to manage on their own now.  Practice at home.  They can practice at school too.

• Start exposing your child to some of the cafeteria food options if your child will be eating school lunch...you can serve these foods family style.  Let your child explore the food and see you and family members eating it. Remember, tell your child he doesn't have to eat it but can keep it on his plate or his try bowl. During a scheduled snack time, you can encourage your child to touch, smell, lick and bite the food. He can spit it out if he doesn't like it.

• Talk to your child's speech therapist about the food goals and see how the therapist can help you food chain to get to the goal.

• Send in your child's preferred lunches to preschool every day, but start including a little piece of the goal food so that he can be exposed to it. Don't stop providing the food if your child chooses not to eat it. Keep presenting it over time. Rotate the foods you'd like him to eat.

• Check out Pintrest for lunchtime ideas for picky eaters...you'll find good ideas on how to pack the food and snacks that will be more appealing to your child (Bento boxes, using cupcake liners, etc).

• If your child is able to...have him help you pack his lunch... have him pick a protein, a grain, a fruit, a veggie, a snack, a dessert and a drink.

• Remember to follow the Division of Responsibility Model (ellynsatterinstitute.org )

-Adults decide the what, when and where of feeding

-Children decide whether they will choose to eat the foods offered and how much to eat

Children's zippered, hooded sweatshirts are available in pink, red and light blue. Adult sweatshirts are available in navy blue and a limited selection of gray.  Adult polos are also available in blue. Pick up your Spirit Wear at  school or send your payment and order form in a sealed envelope to the attention of Susan Cali and we will send the shirts home in your child's backpack. Order now while supplies last!  

 ADULTS: $25, CHILDREN: $20