6.1 Eating patterns
Once children commence child care, kindergarten or school, life takes on a new routine. A regular
intake of food is needed throughout the day to keep children active and to help their concentration
while learning.
Some children in this age group are still fussy, so encourage parents to offer a wide variety
of foods and regular meals and snacks, and allow children to eat to appetite without force or
arguments (3).
Developmental characteristics of preschoolers (2)
Generally in preschoolers there is:
■■ progressive acquisition of new skills. Preschoolers are striving for independence and
gaining competence in such activities as tying their shoelaces, brushing their teeth and
pouring milk. A preschooler’s oral motor development and manual dexterity should be
considered, so that foods of appropriate texture, consistency and ease of eating are
chosen for them
■■ energy. Sitting still for more than a few minutes might be difficult. Preschoolers need
plenty of time for active play and opportunities to develop gross motor coordination
■■ more effective communication. Language is important. Peers become increasingly
important. Most preschoolers enjoy sharing food with friends and carers
■■ a keen curiosity. ‘Why’ has usually replaced ‘no’ as the favourite spoken word. The kitchen
provides an opportunity for experiments, crafts, and participation in food preparation
■■ comfort with the familiar but willingness to try new challenges. Food fads are common at
this time. Preschoolers might insist on having a particular food prepared in a particular
way for several days then, once it has been experienced to the full, become infatuated with
another food. This has been called ‘fussiness’, but it is actually characteristic of normal
development. Although variety may be limited while the fad persists, the preschooler is
gradually expanding their food choices.
Preschoolers showed significant levels of nutrition knowledge…. They were able to identify foods of
higher nutrient density as being ones to use to make their doll ‘grow bigger and stronger’ (1).