Formulate plans for the dining area of an early childhood?

Question

Formulate plans for the dining area of an early childhood program that will help to foster children's self-feeding skill. Include a discussion of appropriate furniture and eating utensils. Plan a menu for one day.(one meal and two snacks) that will further enhance the child's self-feeding skills.

Answer 1

Hmmm. Needing help with homework, eh?

I've always felt it's important to serve and eat meals family style. Having u-shaped tables helps as the teacher can sit in the u part  with children around her. She can reach each one if they need help. Even toddlers can serve themselves with help. Children can help set the tables.

Furniture should be the appropriate size for the age of child. They should be able to sit back on the chair with their feet on the floor and be sort of above the food on the table (so the table must be an appropriate height as well).

Utensils don't really need to be a special size. I've seen even young toddlers handle normal spoons. However, having smaller cups is good as it's easier for them to hold and, well, if there are spills they don't spill as much. :-)  It's also good to have milk at the table in small pitchers so they can pour their own.

I'm not going to plan a menu for you, but be sure each snack includes at least 2 food groups and the meal includes all 4. It's best if the foods don't require cutting or, if they do, it's easy, like meatloaf. Depending on the age of the child, finger foods are great. Keep in mind choking hazards. No grapes unless cut in half. Hot dogs must be pre-cut as well. Raw vegetables should be steamed just a little for toddlers, so they're not too hard and crunchy. Choose foods that stay on the spoon well (like macaroni with spaghetti sauce would be better than spaghetti).

Does that get you started? LOL