Eating together
Tuning in to children effectively means recognising that some of the everyday activities and the more routine parts of the day, such as mealtimes, bath-times and changing a nappy, all provide valuable opportunities for adults to interact with children and for children to develop and learn.
Birth to Three: supporting our youngest children, Scottish Executive/Learning and Teaching Scotland, 2005
Introduction
Responsive care is one key feature of effective practice when working with babies and young children. In this film sequence you will see three children of different ages having a snack together, while their childminder sits and talks with them.
| Eating together | |
|---|---|
| Description | A childminder serves a meal to three children of different ages. |
| Duration | 1 minute 56 seconds |
| Windows version |  Windows Media video: Eating together |
| Mac version |  QuickTime movie: Eating together |
| Transcript | Transcript of Eating together video |
Focus
The sequence demonstrates that daily feeding routines for babies and mealtimes for children provide opportunities for adults to have close, warm interactions, which in turn develop trusting, loving relationships. It also demonstrates the importance of older and younger children having opportunities to eat together.
Points for reflection
Mealtimes are part of a young child’s daily routine and should be times which are relaxed and enjoyable.
- How can the environment, including tables and seating arrangements, help to create relaxed and enjoyable mealtimes?
- How can you plan to ensure that mealtimes are a positive experience for your children?
- What is the role of the adult in supporting a positive mealtime experience?
Birth to Three connections
- Section 4 of Birth to Three: supporting our youngest children
- Section on Food for Thought in Birth to Three: supporting relationships, responsive care and respect
- Useful references and reading section of Food for Thought in Birth to Three: supporting relationships, responsive care and respect.
Tool tips
Windows Media PlayerTo watch this video you will need the latest version of Windows Media Player installed on your computer. To get the latest player please use the link provided.
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QuickTime PlayerTo watch this video you will need the latest version of QuickTime Player installed on your computer. To get the latest player please use the link provided.
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