If you have a toddler at home, you probably know how quickly their favourite foods can change. Yesterday, they loved carrots. Today, the same carrots might get pushed to the very edge of the plate, no matter how much sweet-talking you try!
Fussy eating is very common at this age. Toddlers are learning what they like and becoming more independent every day. New foods can take a little time to get used to.
Childcare can be a lovely place for children to explore food at their own pace. At Tribe Early Learning, our inclusive childcare menu in Canning Vale gives children the chance to experience different tastes, smells and textures while enjoying meals with their friends.
Why Eating Together Can Help Fussy Eaters
Toddlers love watching what other children do. You might have even noticed your child doing something at childcare that they would never dream of doing at home!
The same thing can happen with food.
When children sit together at mealtimes, they see their friends enjoying different foods. Something unfamiliar can soon start to look a little more interesting. The Raising Children Network explains that children may be more willing to try a food when they see other children eating it.
This can make shared meals helpful for overcoming fussy eaters at childcare. Children have regular chances to see, smell, touch and taste different foods in a relaxed setting.
Exploring New Tastes, Smells and Textures
For a toddler, lunch can be a full sensory experience.
A piece of cucumber feels cool and crunchy. A new sauce might have a smell they have never come across before. Even the colours on the plate can catch their attention.
Introducing multicultural food in early learning gives children even more flavours and textures to explore. It can also be a simple way to share some of the foods enjoyed by families in our local community.
Children may need plenty of time to get used to something new, and may need to see a new food 10–15 times, or even more, before they accept it. So if your toddler sniffs something new and puts it straight back down, that’s okay. Getting familiar with food is part of the process too!
Making Mealtimes Welcoming for Everyone
Every family has its own relationship with food.
Some children have allergies or intolerances. Some families eat halal food or follow a vegetarian diet. Families may also have foods that are important to their culture and traditions.
We want children to feel happy and comfortable when they sit down to eat with their friends. Families can speak with our team about their child’s dietary needs so we can understand what they need from us.
Food allergies need particular care. Food Standards provides guidance for early childhood services on managing food allergens and keeping children safe.
Making space for each family’s needs is one of the many ways we create a sense of belonging through our culturally inclusive early learning approach.
What’s Cooking at Tribe Canning Vale?
Our on-site cook prepares a seasonal menu for the children at Tribe, giving them the chance to enjoy different ingredients and flavours throughout the year.
Mealtimes are also a lovely opportunity to introduce children to different cultures. From comforting favourites to global recipes, dishes like our Cheesy Mexican Beef with rice and beans and Makaronia tou Fournou / Magarina Firinda (a Cypriot beef pasta bake) show how trying new flavours and talking about where foods come from can make cultural diversity a natural, delicious part of everyday life at the centre.
For children who prefer a small group of favourite foods at home, seeing different dishes regularly can help them become more familiar. They can watch their friends, explore what’s on their plate and try something when they feel ready.
And you never know. They might come home talking about a food you have been trying to get them to eat for months!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my child refuses to eat anything at childcare?
Try not to worry. Fussy eating is very common during the toddler years. Children are given time to become familiar with different foods, and families can always speak with our team about any concerns.
How do you handle severe food allergies?
Please tell our team about your child’s allergies before they start at Tribe. This gives us the chance to understand their individual needs and discuss them with you.
Can you accommodate halal or vegetarian diets?
Please speak with our team about your family’s dietary requirements. We want every child to feel comfortable and included during shared mealtimes.
Will my child have to try unfamiliar foods?
Children are encouraged to explore food at their own pace. Seeing and smelling a new food can be a useful first step. Some children will be ready to taste it straight away, while others may need to see it several times first.
How can I help my fussy eater try new foods at home?
Keep offering small amounts of new foods alongside things your child already enjoys. Eating together can help too. Give them time to look at, smell and explore new foods and keep the experience relaxed.
Mealtimes Should Feel Like Home
When you choose a childcare centre, you are trusting other people with so many parts of your child’s day. That includes making sure they feel happy and comfortable when they sit down to eat.
At Tribe, we want children to enjoy sharing meals with their friends, discover new flavours and see foods from different cultures as a normal part of everyday life. Most of all, we want every child to feel that there is a place for them at our table.
If you’d like to come and see Tribe for yourself, we’d love to meet you and your little one.
