Is your child a picky eater?  Are you or your childcare provider looking for new and nutrient dense snack or meal ideas that actually taste good?  Are you wanting to learn some new strategies for having positive interactions

during meals instead of a battle?  Sign up for this three-part series that will be held in your home to work with your kitchen set-up and tools.  Invite a few friends to join so adults and children can learn how to have fun experimenting with food together. 

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Psychology of Eating - There's an art and a science behind getting nutrients into children so they can grow.  We know the science of food making it's way into the body, yet most of us have never been taught the art of it, which is why food can become a battle ground especially during the stages when children are naturally trying to exhibit independence.  Throughout the series, adults will learn strategies based upon child development stages and psychology of change for age groups relevant to their kids, starting as young as when solids are introduced and going up to the readiness of kids preparing their own meals.  Adults will learn how well-intentioned behaviors can have unintended harmful consequences both in the short-term with control battles and in long-term in the form of disordered eating patterns.  Everyone will take home alternative approaches to foster a healthier relationship with food and their children. 

Parents and caregivers will learn how to take advantage of the opportunities to teach real life skills to young children - keeping an open mind to trying new foods, learning how high-quality food keeps us healthy and strong, as well as basic manners in social situations with meals.  Caregivers will also gain a heightened awareness of how our own behaviors, choices, and relationship with food is portrayed to young eyes.  Adults model behaviors and control the food the goes into the house while kids become products of that environment and control how much of those options goes into their mouths, which is why when we learn how to make quality food taste good and maintain a positive environment,  children can develop a healthful relationship with food.

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Hands-on - To gain children's "buy-in" with food, it's important to engage them and allow children to contribute in a meaningful way. Hands-on means kids and kitchens will get dirty and that they will learn how to respect and use appropriate tools.  Don't worry - they will all get clean again!  Doing, not just watching, is how children learn.  Functional learning through all senses makes it fun and memorable for them.  Kids who are a part of the process are much more likely to try and enjoy new foods than kids who are simply handed a plate with the same foods.   

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Lots of colors and new recipes - Each week everyone will go home with new snacks and the accompanying recipe so both caregivers and children can continue more creations throughout the week.  Each color of food provides different "powers" that our kids need to establish healthy guts and to grow so we will incorporate as many colors as possible throughout the series.  Each series will have a seasonal theme so that no two series are the same.

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Duration and Cost:

Each session lasts 60-90 minutes depending on the group size (up to four adults and their children) and menu

$360 + groceries for the series per group (not individual) = $30 + groceries per adult per session if 4 adults with children attend per group