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Supporting independence and healthy eating habits

Core Idea: Mealtimes in the Montessori approach focus on creating supportive conditions where toddlers can develop independence in eating, intuitive hunger cues, and positive relationships with food.

Key Elements

• The adult's role

  • Decide where, when, and what food is offered
  • Create environment for independent self-feeding
  • Allow child to determine how much they eat
  • Model positive eating behaviors
  • Avoid becoming entangled in food battles

• Physical setup

  • Use child-sized furniture that allows independent access
  • Provide appropriate table and chair instead of high chair with tray
  • Ensure child can get in/out of their seat independently
  • Use small, child-sized plates, glasses, and utensils
  • Start with small portions to prevent overwhelm
  • Allow self-serving when possible

• Mealtime rhythm

  • Maintain regular meal and snack times (3 meals, 1-2 small snacks)
  • Avoid "kitchen always open" approach
  • Transition from bottles to regular cups around 12 months
  • Structure breastfeeding at regular times when applicable
  • Allow child to leave table when finished
  • Keep food at the table (not carried around)

• Common pitfalls

  • Expecting toddlers to sit through entire family meal
  • Using distractions (screens, toys) during mealtimes
  • Overcontrolling portions or requiring "clean plates"
  • Making separate meals for picky eaters
  • Treating eating as a performance rather than meeting a need

Additional Connections

• Broader Context: Practical Life Skills (eating as fundamental practical life work)
• Applications: Managing Food Battles (preventing and addressing eating struggles)
• See Also: Moments of Care as Connection (mealtimes as connection opportunities)

References

1. Davies, S. (2019). The Montessori Toddler.
2. Montessori, M. (1995). The Absorbent Mind, Holt Paperbacks.

#mealtimes #independence #nutrition #montessori

Connections:

Sources:

• From: Davies-The Montessori Toddler