Reflections of chapter eight of “The Creative Curriculum for Toddlers, Infants, and Twos” by Dodge, Berkre, Rudick. pg 35

Would you describe yourself as a healthy eater? How does your approach to nutrition influence how and what you teach children about healthy eating?

Although I love vegetables and fruits, I don’t consider myself a healthy person when it comes to eating. I am open to trying new things, and I’m not against eating any kind of food that doesn’t have a texture that I find offensive. This is beneficial for the kids as it lets them know that I’m willing to try new things.

I try to maintain a positive attitude while I’m eating to set a calm environment. If I don’t like what I’m eating, I won’t eat it. I don’t want the kids to think that they have to consume certain foods.

Think about mealtime in your classroom. Do you encourage conversation among children and/or talk to preverbal children? How would you describe this routine time of day?

During mealtime, I like to encourage the kids to talk to me as I can read their expressions and cues so I can get a better understanding of how they feel. Breakfast is always peaceful, and lunch is chaotic only when the kids are hungry and eager to eat.