Family-Style Meals: Helping Kids Grow One Bite at a Time
Sitting down to eat together as a family is about more than just food. Eating together is a chance to connect, learn and grow. Serving meals family-style, where everyone helps themselves to food from shared dishes, is a simple and powerful way to support your child’s development.
Eating together helps children build a healthy relationship with food. When kids serve themselves, they learn to listen to their hunger and fullness cues, develop independence and practice important social and motor skills. Plus, when they see others enjoying a variety of foods, they’re more likely to try new foods and tastes.
Why It Works
Children are natural learners, and mealtimes are full of opportunities to model and practice positive habits. When you serve yourself the same food as your child, you show them that trying new things can be fun and rewarding. Sitting together also gives you a chance to model table manners and enjoy meaningful conversations.
Keep It Simple
If family-style meals are new to your household, start small. Let your child serve themselves one or two items per meal starting with something easy to scoop or pick up with tongs. You can serve the rest. Over time, they’ll gain confidence and can take on more. Let your child decide what and how much to eat from the food offered. This helps them learn to trust their own appetite and make choices that feel right for their body.
Make It Easy for Little Hands
The right tools can make a big difference. Try using:
- Small pitchers and bowls that are easier to lift and pass
- Wide-rimmed serving dishes to help reduce spills
- Short-handled spoons, scoops or tongs for easier serving
- Squeeze bottles for condiments like ketchup or salad dressing
Plastic dishes are often lighter and cooler to the touch than glass or metal, making them safer and more comfortable for young children. Using smaller serving dishes helps reduce food waste. If something gets spilled or contaminated, there’s less to throw away. Encourage your child to start with one or two scoops so there’s enough for everyone, and let them know they can always go back for seconds.
A Lifelong Skill
Serving meals family-style isn’t just about what’s on the plate; it is about building confidence, connection and lifelong healthy habits. With a little patience and the right tools, mealtimes can become one of the most rewarding and fun parts of your day. For more tips on eating together as a family, visit HealthLink BC.
References:
Celebrate Feeding. (n.d.). Serving Family-Style Meals. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61e83ac5625d040af3622342/t/669fcc966c2325436768c290/1721748630560/CELEBRATE+Handout+-+Serving+Family-Style+Meals.pdf
HealthLink BC. (2017, April 1). The benefits of eating together for children and families. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/living-well/food-and-nutrition/food-and-your-health/plan-shop-and-prepare/benefits-eating-together-children-and-families
Ontario Dietitians in Public Health. (n.d.). Child care resources. https://www.odph.ca/child-care-resources
Submitted by Claire Bilik, RD from the Middlesex-London Health Unit
