Food and the Preschool Child

It is imperative your care provider does not use food as a punishment or reward. The promise of a cookie if the child is good encourages poor eating habits. As bribery, it leads the child to expect a reward for good behavior. Do not force children to eat. Young children eat as much as they need to remain healthy. A care provider's job is, to be sure they have an opportunity to eat a variety of healthy foods. Making them available to the children should suffice. You as a parent know children can be picky eaters at times. (This tip submitted by Shirley Sullivan, Kid Guru)