UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Whether your child is 6 months or 6 years old, if he or she is a picky eater, mealtimes can be a disaster. But, if you understand children's behavior, you can help them learn to enjoy a variety of foods, according to a nutrition specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"The preschool years are characterized by bouts of independence," says Katherine Cason, associate professor of food science. "What appears to be 'picky' eating may instead be your child's early attempts to be assertive -- a natural part of growing up. Before a picky eater gets to be a problem eater, you can use certain skills and techniques to ease mealtime struggles and encourage even the pickiest eater to try a few bites of new, different and nutritious food at each meal."

Here are Cason's top ten tips for your picky eater:

1. One step at a time. Offer one new food at a time. Let the child know if it will be sweet, salty or sour.
2. A taste is just a taste. Allow the child to decide the amount to try. A "taste" can be as small as ½ teaspoon.
3. What goes in, may come out...and that's okay! Recent studies indicate children are more likely to try a new food if they have the option of not swallowing it. Just make sure they know to spit it out in a napkin.
4. Provide role models. Imitation is a powerful source in learning. Encourage a reluctant taster to try new foods while around friends or family who will not be so unwilling.
5. Keep it familiar. Serve an unfamiliar food with familiar ones. This increases the likelihood that a child will taste the new food.
6. Get children involved. Whether they help shop at the grocery store or prepare the food at home, even the most finicky eaters are more likely to try a food they have helped prepare.
7. Give them a choice. Preschool children are learning to be independent. You can help your child feel independent by presenting them a choice of foods to try.
8. Read them a story. A child is more likely to try a food that has been introduced in a story.
9. If at first you don't succeed... Many young children must be offered a food eight to 10 times before they will try it. Continue to offer a new food; eventually children are likely to try it.
10. Relax! Focus your attention on the positive aspects of your child's eating behavior, not on your child's food.

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Contact:

Cheryl Anthony
cka106@psu.edu
814-863-0938
814-863-9877 fax

Chuck Gill
cdg5@psu.edu
814-863-2713
814-863-9877 fax
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