How do you get pre-schoolers to eat more fruits and vegetables?

[Andy M.]

andy, couldn't it be considered child abuse making him watch the sox if you didn't give him the jelly beans?

Watching the Boston Red Sox builds character. Steven has the opportunity learn that life consists of the good times and the bad times.

When there's a Yankees game on, I withhold the jelly beans so he will hate them too.

 

[GB]

Andy, couldn't it be considered child abuse making him watch the Yankees?

 

[Andy M.]

Andy, couldn't it be considered child abuse making him watch the Yankees?

He is closely monitored throughout the game. The first time he he starts twitching, I switch to Sponge Bob.

 

[retiredguy]

HUH? Properly ripened fruit almost sells itself to kids. Maybe you could try some psychology and say something like 'you can only have one'. Good luck, children have to have fruit in their diet so you have to make it happen.

 

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

I too agree that you have to set the example, and set the rules. It is a child's job to explore his/her limits, in everything. They explore behaviors and try to exert their will over the will of their caretakers. They will try bad behaviors as well as good ones. They don't understand the concepts yet between the two, at least at the pre-school ages. But they do understand yes and no. They are also beginning to get a feel for what works and doesn't work for them.

It is the parents job to help their children grown and learn, and to teach them values that they will need through life, such as proper nutrition. They will push at you, try to get their own way. You need to push back, to protect them from doing things or developing habits that will hurt them. They will respond to love, and to consequences. When they do things that help them or the family, the consequences are increased positive attention, and maybe, once in a while, a treat. Mostly, it's letting them know you are pleased with them. When they behave badly, that attention they crave should be removed, and negative consequences need to be applied, such as time outs, time alone in a secluded space, and not giving them the thing they want. Your children are your most important responsibility. And you are the greatest influence in their lives. So it's up to you to be the parent. Give them boundaries. Don't let them rule you. You and they will be happier and healthier. The bad behavior usually goes quickly away. They may try some new behavior that is wrong, but again, it will soon pass if they find it isn't giving them the desired results. Reward them only for good behavior, even if it means eating those steamed peas.

Seeeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

 

[CharlieD]

This is what I do. When my kids come home from school I bit them up really hard and tell them if they are not going to eat their diner I'd bit them up even harder ...

Ok, I do hope you realise I am just kidding. It is a lough with tears or thru tears. One, only one of my 5 kids eats normaly, puh,puh,puh, shhh, don't say anything I am afraid to give her a bad eye, or whatever it's called.
Rest of them is a fight, and none eat the same thing as the other.

 

[daniellecharmaine]

I would say that you have to find some type of alternitives for kids. many times they have foods especially for kids as for veggies and fruits. You can also tell them little sayings like eating this will keep the doctor, dentist away, you have to eat this if you want to grow up to be strong.

 

[mollyanne]

How about making "building blocks":

(I don't know what the white blocks are...maybe do
canteloupe for that one...you could make smoothies
with the excess you've trimmed off)

.