Child care options that complement the MAPS preschool experience at Center for Learning {located at 15 Map Drive - Mankato}
ACES is a fun, educational + recreational child care program for school age children aligning with MAPS elementary schools.
MAPS Preschool - All of our high quality programming options offer age appropriate learning for children ages 3–5 years
The early years are critical in shaping a child’s relationship with food, and as parents, you play a key role in encouraging positive attitudes and behaviors around eating. This presentation will guide parents through practical strategies and insightful tips for fostering a healthy relationship with food from infancy through early childhood.
In this session, we will explore:
- The Impact of Early Eating Habits: Understanding how the food choices, attitudes, and behaviors we model shape children’s long-term relationships with food.
- Building Positive Food Experiences: Strategies for creating a relaxed, enjoyable mealtime environment that encourages curiosity and exploration of new foods.
- Listening to Hunger and Fullness Cues: Teaching children how to tune into their natural hunger cues and promoting self-regulation when it comes to eating.
- Avoiding Food Battles and Negative Associations: How to prevent power struggles over food and manage picky eating with patience and consistency.
- Introducing New Foods: Practical advice on how to introduce a variety of flavors, textures, and healthy foods while minimizing resistance.
- The Role of Family Meals: The benefits of eating together as a family, including fostering positive modeling and communication around food.
- Mindful Eating for Children: Techniques for encouraging mindfulness and helping children develop a healthy relationship with food that extends beyond just nutrition.
- Promoting Body Positivity and Healthy Self-Image: Supporting your child’s emotional well-being around food and body image, and teaching them to appreciate their bodies for what they can do, not just how they look.
By the end of this presentation, parents will have a toolkit of strategies to support their child’s development of a healthy, balanced relationship with food, setting them up for a lifetime of positive eating habits, body acceptance, and overall well-being. Join us to learn how you can empower your child to develop a love of nourishing foods in a stress-free, supportive environment.
