Spark Conversations
Role Modeling: Effective Verbal Comments
Explains elements of effective verbal comments:
- Make specific comments.
- Be enthusiastic.
- Ask questions about the food.
- Use absolute comments.
Length- 4:13; for children 2-5 years
Breaking Barriers to Family Mealtimes By: Dr. Michelle Krehbiel
Learn how to handle common challenges and discuss sensitive topics during family mealtimes.
Length- 8:34; for All Ages
Candid Conversations During Mealtimes: Discussing a Pandemic By: Miki Montgomery & Family
It can be hard to talk to kids about a pandemic. Join Miki and her family during dinner as they navigate talking about living through a pandemic.
Length- 4:18; for children 6+ years
Culture and Mealtimes With: Sandra Barrera
Learn from Sandra Barrera how to discuss diversity and culture, encourage cultural acceptance, and involve kids during mealtimes.
Length- 9:51; for All Ages
Using Praise Effectively
Explains the difference between the types of praise and how to use praise effectively with children.
- Be specific to the child and the behavior.
- Praise the child’s actions.
- Comment on the child’s progress.
- Be judgement-free when praising.
- Praise children for trying any amount of food.
- Praise children for food that they have tried.
Length-4:36; for children 2-5 years
Exploring Food with Your 5 Senses With: Tammie Ostdiek
We use all 5 of our senses when we eat. Practice being more aware of all of these senses when sitting down for a meal.
Length- 4:22; for children 3+ years
Engaging Children’s Sense of Sight
Discusses different strategies to engage children’s sense of sight with food.
Length- 4:57; for children 2-5 years
Mindful Tea Party By: Ranae Aspen & Savannah
Paying attention with curiosity and without judgement to how you eat can be helpful for your health. Practice mindfully eating by noticing how you feel when you eat. Savanna shares her mindful tea party.
Length- 3:45; for children 3+ years
Download The Last Orange on Earth handout
Download Optimizing Healthy Eating Hbits in Early Childhood with Mindfulness handout
Supporting Children’s Self-Regulation in Eating
Introduces the concept of self-regulation and the ability of children to self-regulate their energy intake.
Length- 1:15; for children 2-5 years
Candid Conversations during Mealtimes: Discussing Racism By: Miki Montgomery & Family
Talking to children about racism can be difficult. Join Miki and her family as they have a candid conversation around the dinner table about race.
Length- 12:35; for Adolescents
Use the links below to learn more!
Talking to your kids about racism
Teach children to describe their feelings of hunger
Caregivers can teach children to describe hunger and fullness by using the strategies below:
- Teach children vocabulary and gestures to communicate feelings of hunger.
- Teach children to recognize hunger as “rumbling in tummies”
- Cue children to their level of hunger. Example, “If you are still hungry, you can have more food.”
Length- 3:03; for children 2-5 years
Role Modeling Feelings of Fullness
Learn how to effectively role model feelings of fullness with young children to support their ability to self-regulate while eating.
Length- 1:54; for children 2-5 years