Parents Page

How You Can Get Involved

Want to get involved with the Healthy Schools programme? The following document is full of handy tips and ideas for parents and carers.

How You Can Get Involved (1.5Mb)

Healthy Eating Tips For Parents

Q. My six year old daughter isn't eating properly. I am very keen that she should eat a balanced, healthy diet and I try very hard to prepare nice, healthy meals but I can't help worrying when she refuses her food. We didn't have this problem when she was younger, she would eat anything, so why won't she do so now? She does eat her packed lunch at school It's all very well when my mother tells me not to worry but of course I do.

A. I do understand how frustrating this can be but many children do go through phases of saying they dislike something even if they loved it just the day before! So long as she is healthy and growing she is probably getting the nutrients she needs. Young children are very capable at regulating their food intake and as you say she is eating her packed lunch at school. Your daughter certainly won't starve and she will eat when she is hungry!

The secret is to not make food a battle ground. Most importantly do not let your daughter see you over react at mealtimes. Your daughter realises that you cannot make her eat and, once this becomes a battle, increasingly this is an area that she has control over in.

So give her very little attention where food is concerned - keep it relaxed and stress free.

Here are a few practical ideas that you will find useful.

  • Involve your daughter more in the preparation of her food - Even toddlers enjoy helping by taking items out of cupboards and sitting next to you when you cook
  • Talk to her about what you are buying at the supermarket and get her excited about helping you out
  • When it is a meal time make sure she is actually hungry - If she has been snacking she is less likely to be interested in the meal you are serving
  • Limit her choices - simply ask her to eat what she wants and leave what she doesn't
  • Always include at least one food you know she likes and enjoys
  • Make meal times as enjoyable and relaxed as possible and sit down and eat with your child – talk about the day, engage your daughter in conversation as it can act as a distraction

If your daughter refuses to eat anything, calmly take the plate away without a fuss. If she tells you later that she is hungry, remind her that the mealtime is now over and that she had the choice to eat her meal but she decided she didn't want it. Don't make her something else - just offer her something simple like a piece of fruit and tell her that next time you would like her to eat her dinner.

Finally give her plenty of praise. Praise her for her efforts, there is no need to wait for her to clear her plate.

eParenting

For more information and tips/advice for parents please visit the eParenting website by clicking here ›

Resources for Parents

Healthy Schools Parents Handbook

Copies of this handbook have been sent to all schools for distribution to YR and Y7 parents. This is no longer available as a hard copy, but you can print copies for yourself by clicking the link below.

Healthy Schools Parents Handbook (3Mb)

Parenting Handbooks

Two fantastic handbooks on parenting are now available. The first covers children aged between birth and 5 years of age and the second from 5 to 19 years of age.

Both address all issues including being healthy, learning and enjoyment and keeping safe.

Parenting Handbook: Birth – 5 Years (1.2Mb)

Parenting Handbook: 5 Years – 19 Years (1.5Mb)

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