Family meals are so much more than a time for kids to sit at the same table with their brothers, sisters, and parents. Kids typically thrive on established schedules and routines and family meals are a part of a routine they can count on and take comfort in. Mealtimes are typically one of the only parts of the day when children get to converse with their parents without disturbances, such as the television and radio. Also, researchers have concluded that dinner conversation advances a child’s vocabulary, which could even result in improved academic achievements down the road. Spending extra time at the dinner table to talk allows you to catch up on what’s happening with your kids’ lives. You can go around the table and ask each child to tell the rest of the family about her day. Even babies should be given the opportunity to take part in the conversation. Infants enjoy hearing your voice and like to make eye contact with you. Talking to them about anything improves their overall language development. Dinner time is a wonderful time for everyone to sit down together and just enjoy one another’s company; which is something that many families lose sight of with their often busy lifestyles.
The American Dietetic Association says that “Dining together makes for healthier eaters. Kids who regularly eat with their families tend to have healthier and more balanced eating patterns. They typically consume more fruits and vegetables and fewer fried foods, sodas, and saturated fat than kids who don’t share family meals.” Eating together offers children the chance to see their parents eat a variety of foods, too. For dinner, you should be preparing healthy, nutritious meals that are well balanced and varied. One important rule of thumb is that whatever you are expecting your children to eat you should be eating as well. You should not expect your child to eat broccoli and green beans if you yourself are turning your nose at them. It is also important to vary the meals that you are serving. While spinach is a very healthy vegetable choice and fresh cut strawberries make a great dessert, but if they are served every other day your child will eventually grow tired of them and will stop eating them altogether.
Parents have to introduce new foods to children, who initially need a little guidance in making healthy choices. A small child is not likely to decide one day that she would like to try asparagus or Brussels sprouts. A family meal is the perfect opportunity for parents to expose children to different foods and expand their tastes. There are many veggies and types of cuisine that children have never even heard of, but once they try them they may find that they really enjoy them. It is important to expose children to a wide variety of healthy meals at an early age because this will increase the likelihood that that they will carry these good eating habits into adulthood.
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