My DD is a very slow eater. (Just like I was. Jooooy.) She will be starting preschool in the fall, and will be served a breakfast and lunch while she is there. I would like to use the summer to teach her to fill herself up in the time that she will have so that it doesn't become a battle for her teachers.
Sooo... About how long should I be allowing her for breakfast and lunch?
About 20 minutes or so. But try not to worry. Preschool teachers are used to slow eaters, and they are good at getting kids to focus on eating. They also usually have a midmorning snack (and another snack midafternoon if it's a full day program.)
it will not be a battle for the teachers. lunch will be put out. kids will eat or not and food will be put away. if she doesn't eat enough to fill up then she will be hungry at snack and will eat then. don't force her to hurry and eat thats ust setting up an eating disorder down the road. she will be fine.
My daycare/ summercamp allowed 20 minutes for lunch, they also have a mid morning and post nap snack. the pre-school allows 25 minutes for lunch, and snack before pickup.
Only the school can give you specifics. I think ours keeps theirs short, but long enough. Anything longer than that and the kids can get unruly.
Best,
F. B.
usually around 20 minutes
Ask the school, how long breakfast and lunch times are.
Then, based on that, you will have an idea about how long they have to eat.
And talk to the Preschool teacher, about it. And HOW they handle it if a child is a slow eater.
Every Preschool, will vary and every Preschool has different routines.
Per your child, you said she is a slow eater.
So like what? Does she take 1 hour to eat a meal?
Does she take 20 minutes?
If she can eat within 20 minutes, I would think that is fine.
At my kids' preschools, they got about 20 minutes for meal time.
For example.
If you can teach your child to eat within a specific timing..... then at home you could use a timer. And "practice" eating with a timer. So then your daughter learns about "timing." At that age, kids do not know how long "20" minutes is. For example. They do not gauge time, at that young age.
So you could get a timer, or show her on a clock, how long she has to eat from start to finish.
ALSO teach her, to know her body's cues. For being "full."
And that is when to stop.
Also, if a child does not eat the entire plate of food, that does not mean they did not eat enough. A kid stops eating, when they are full. Not according to whether or not they ate the ENTIRE plate of food.
So teach her that as well.
I work at a school.
Many kids do not or cannot eat, EVERYTHING on a plate.
Eating slowly is actually healthier. If you're gulping down your food the body is unable to catch itself before it is overfull.
Perhaps your daughter is mindful. :)
Have you talked to the preschool about how they handle slow eaters?
I would see if you can find out how long they set for a meal.
And... how long does she take to eat a meal?
She'll go in to breakfast when they open the doors of the school. For instance, if the school starts morning assembly at 8am they may not open the doors until 7:45am. She can be late to morning assembly but not usually if they go directly to a classroom where roll is taken right away. Our kids school doesn't take role until they are done with morning assembly, 8am-8:15/8:20am. SO even if she's eating slow she's not late until the teacher gets the kids lined up, out of the gym, and actually sitting down in the classroom.
Our boy ate fast, the girl eats slow. Neither one had issues because the eat with friends and do what the others are doing.
For lunch it depends on a lot of things, weather outside and if everyone is waiting on your girl to finish so they can go play or if everyone is staying inside due to bad weather. If they have teacher at lunch and lunch room aids then they are going to shuffle the kids in and out. If they know your child is slow then they can keep an eye on her and make sure she's not dilly dallying.
My class usually takes around 20-30 minutes to eat lunch. I teach 2-3 year olds. We don't put a time limit on them, but that's an average for what they usually do.
Most preschools I've worked at allowed about 20-30 minutes for lunch, going longer if the kids were still eating. We were aware that some kids were just slower eaters.
Even if they are serving a breakfast, consider serving one at home if you are worried she won't get enough food.
About 20 minutes. I sometimes substitute teach at a preschool.
Usually 15-20 minutes. Start working with her now. Also look for foods that give the biggest bang for their buck. So.... No celery which she won't be able to sustain and she'll just be hungry sooner.
