This Dinner Time Game Will Take The Fuss Out Of Family Meals For Kids

Is mealtime a struggle for your family? If so, you are not alone. Getting your younger children to sit still and eat their food during a family meal can be extremely tough. Thankfully, the Watson Institute– a Pennsylvania-based special needs education resource organization– has shared its “Sitting At Supper” strategy.
The following plan is meant to engage children’s impulses that may distract from their eating while also motivating kids to partake in mealtime conversations.
First, it helps if children have some say in what they will be eating. So, the Watson Institute advises parents to create a “Choice Menu.”
This menu should only include items that you know your child will eat– making the entire process that much smoother.
Afterward, create a menu sheet that includes the name of the food items, a photo, and an area to place a “check mark.”
Next, immediately get your child involved in dinner prep.
“Tell your child you need them to plan the evening’s meal. Allow them to choose the items, gather each item, and organize them in the kitchen. If possible, have him assist in the cooking,” the Institute states.
This first half of the process will already help your child become excited about mealtime and feel like they played a role in the creation of the food.
Now, the second half is all about active engagement while the meal is being eaten. To prepare for this activity, you should locate three containers– such as cups, cans, or jars.

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Afterward, label the containers accordingly: “First Turn to Talk,” “Second Turn to Talk,” and “All Done.”
Next, gather popsicle sticks or pieces of paper and write each family member’s name on one. Finally, you are ready for dinner.
“After everyone is served, tell the family that you are playing a game and that your child will be in charge of helping. The game begins after everyone takes two bites of dinner,” the Institute explained.
Next, have your child draw one stick from the first container and read out that family member’s name– for example, dad.
In this case, dad would get a turn to tell the family a fun fact, a story about his day, or something he is excited about.
Once dad is finished speaking, his popsicle stick would get placed in the next container.
This cycle would continue until every family member is called upon and reaches the “All Done” container.
The only rule is that in between each turn, each person must take two bites of their meal and eat slowly before the next turn.
By making a game out of mealtime, you can help manage your child’s inclination to play with toys or fidget.
Plus, redirecting this energy into a positive family game will ensure that your child has a full belly and allows each family member an opportunity to talk with the group.
To learn more about this helpful mealtime strategy, you can visit the Watson Institute’s resource page linked here.
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