What is Responsive Feeding?

Responsive feeding is about more than just food. It creates a positive, inclusive environment that supports children's learning and healthy development.

Responsive feeding helps children:

• Explore new foods at mealtimes and during play.

• Learn to enjoy a variety of foods.

• Recognize when they are hungry and full.

• Develop their own food preferences.

• Learn about others' food customs and preferences.

• Celebrate all foods.

Children and caregivers have different jobs at meals and snacks. Child care centres choose the menu, provide a variety of foods, and set the meal and snack schedule. Children decide how much of each food to eat. They might eat a lot or little, or even none at all. They might decide to try all the available foods or only one or two items.

Benefits of Participation to Child Care Centres

• Practical solutions to support children at mealtimes, tailored to the needs of your centre

• Reduced chaos and stress at meals

• Helping children develop healthy eating skills and a positive relationship with food

• Ongoing support from Early Years Nutrition Coaches

• Responsive feeding training and resources

• Professional development opportunity and honoraria

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