Petit Pots

It's easy to get caught up in "official" portion sizes. For vegetables, the "official" size is 1 Tbs per year of age for kids 1-3. But since when has any toddler anywhere followed the "official" recommendations? Certainly not mine. 😆 ⁠
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I like to think of the "official" portion size as a good starting place. But watch your kid. Is it too much or not enough for them? For foods they never eat, put a "disgusted" serving size on their plate. For that food they pound (strawberries, anyone?), load them up. It's okay for kids to eat as much as they want at every meal and snack. It's okay if they eat almost nothing. It's okay if they eat as much as you.⠀⁠
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FYI, the official recommendation is 2-3 servings of fruits and 2-3 servings of veggies per day. But as we know - they may not eat veggies for 2 days and then eat as much as you on day 3. It's okay. And it's okay to sub fruit for veg if they are going through a rough patch.⁠ ⁠😘 ⁠
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~Jennifer⁠
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💕Pioneering child psychologist Jean Piaget once said, “Play is the answer to how anything new comes about,” and this is true for your child’s discovery of new words and new foods. It’s a vital component of cognitive development.

💕This is especially true for toddlers. When a two-year-old has begun to engage in pretend play, you’ll notice it throughout the day and not just when pretending with stuffed animals, dolls or other toys. When in the kitchen, the wooden spoon might suddenly transform into a telephone as your toddler puts it up to his ear and pretends to call Grandma to tell her what you’re baking together. At mealtimes, penne pasta becomes a trumpet as they “toot-toot” through the tube of pasta throughout dinner!

😊Unless it’s becoming too much of a distraction and you feel the need to redirect, try to embrace these playful moments. Your toddler is practicing problem solving, expressing their feelings via this pretend play, and learning about symbols.

✨BONUS!✨Early symbolic play is the foundation for understanding numbers and letters and, ultimately, learning to read.

🤔Use your own imagination to model all the possibilities: Green beans might transform into two walrus tusks emerging from under your top lip, or a bread stick might become a fairy wand. 🪄🧚‍♀️🪄When we respond to our children’s playful communication, that connection is priceless and always memorable.🥰

📚Source: Responsive Feeding: The Baby-First Guide to Stress-Free Weaning, Healthy Eating & Mealtime
Bonding by Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP page 144
https://mymunchbug.com/books/

Jennifer sent you a Pin! Discover even more ideas for you

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