Raising Competent Eaters

 

Help your child become a competent eater by using the Division of Responsibility approach

 

The Division of Responsibility is a term  developed by feeding expert Ellyn Satter. The Division of Responsibility says to trust that your children have a natural ability to self-regulate their appetite. This approach empowers children to become competent eaters when given a supportive eating environment. For an appropriate eating environment to exist, specific roles and responsibilities have to be respected between parents and child.

 

As a Paediatric dietitian, I have been trained to teach families The Division of Responsibility to help them achieve the joy in positive eating and feeding. Below is a breakdown of the parent-child feeding responsibilities:

 

Parents responsibility:

1.     WHAT food is offered:

·    You are in charge of the menu

·    You select and offer a variety of safe, nutritious foods at meals and snacks

·    When meal planning, be considerate but do not cater. 

·    Offer 2-3 choices of new/less-preferred foods with familiar/preferred foods at each mealtime.

·    Avoid substituting uneaten meals with favourite foods, as your child may learn that this is the reward for food refusal.

 

2.     WHEN food is offer:

·    Have regular timings for sit-down meals and snacks

·    Children’s stomachs are small and their energy needs are high, so they need 3 main meals and 2-3 snack opportunities

·    Allow 1.5-2 hours gaps between each eating schedule to stimulate a hunger cycle for their small stomachs and avoid grazing.

·    Allow no more than 20-30 minutes for main meals and 10-15 minutes for snack times.

·    Finish mealtimes after your child indicates they have had enough. Always end mealtimes on a positive note.

·    Avoid feeding on child’s demand and having child graze on snacks/drinks (except water) in between scheduled mealtimes.

 

3.     WHERE food is offered:

·    Sit with your child and eat the same foods together. Make mealtimes a pleasant bonding opportunity.

·    Serve food as a buffet style, in the middle of the table and allow your child to choose from what you have made available (2-4 choices with at least one preferred food).

·    Give your child some attention but do not make them the focus during mealtimes.

·    Seat your child so that their feet are supported and they are able to reach for the food.

 

Child’s responsibility:

1.     HOW MUCH and IF they want to eat:

·     Let your child choose what food to have on their plate.

·     Serve them small amounts of each food. Let them have more of any food provided if they want. 

·     Have them do their own eating (or not eating)

·     Don’t make them clean their plates, trust they can regulate their own appetite.

·     Provide lots opportunities for your child to exploring new foods by looking, touching, smelling and tasting the food.

·     Allow your child eat with their fingers and utensils, eat fast or slow, a little or a lot.

·     Your child gives permission for food to enter their mouths and is never forced or pressured.

·     If your child refuses to eat any of the food provided, stay calm and tell them that they will have to wait for the next eating opportunity.

 

For more information, head to the Ellyn Satter Institute.