Lunch Time

[snbauser]

What does lunch time look like for you?
Do you have booster seats, child table ...? child size table that seats all 5 kids
Do you set a timer? Yes for the reason BC mentioned - I am preschool/prek and my job is to get them ready for school. Our schools get about 20 min for lunch. I set the timer for 30. I also do it because I have 1 who eats too quickly and 2 that eat slower than molasses on a cold winters day. They know that when there is 5 min or less they can not ask for more. But they also know that they can not ask for seconds until after the first 10 minutes. Otherwise my fast eater would eat everything on his plate within the first 5 minutes and ask for more.
Are they expected to eat at least something (if so, how much?) or do you just serve and if they don't eat - oh well? Yes and no. They must eat at least 1 bite of everything on their plate before they can ask for seconds on anything. They don't get 3rds of anything unless they have cleaned their plate. If they don't want to eat or don't want to eat all of everything, that's their choice but they know they won't get more or anything different.
How do you handle wiggle worms? Constant reminders. Removal of plates if it becomes too much.
Are they expected to clean up after themselves? (ie floor sweeping, table wiping) Some. I put all the plates, cups, utensils, napkins at the end of the table. They get their own on their way to their seats. After lunch, they take their plates to the garbage, dump/scrape them, and put them in the bucket. If they have milk left in their cups, they leave them on the table and I clear them. I take care of the table and floor. EXCEPT for my oldest and messiest eater. He is 4 1/2 and gets food EVERYWHERE and when he is done I will make him pick up the bigger pieces off the table, his chair, and the floor. Again, when they get to school next year they are responsible for throwing their own stuff away and cleaning their area.

[Tdhmom]

What does lunch time look like for you?
Do you have booster seats, child table ...? i have a child table that seats 6 but I put my 3 yr olds there and 5 yr olds at the dining room table. There is a lot less chatter that way
Do you set a timer?
No timer, everyone is usually done in 15 min except 1 dcg who takes FOREVER! She. Gets one 5 min warning and then she's excused.
Are they expected to eat at least something (if so, how much?) or do you just serve and if they don't eat - oh well?
They do not get seconds unless their plates are cleaned. They have to at least try one bite of everything before they are excused. I have 2 very picky eaters who usually go hungry unless it's a sandwich or hot dog day!
How do you handle wiggle worms?
I give 3 warnings and then they have to stand to finish lunch. I've had to do this one time and it hasn't been a problem since
Are they expected to clean up after themselves? (ie floor sweeping, table wiping)
They bring their plates to the counter and I clean the rest.
I have a picnic style table
I use a timer when necessary
I expect them to at least TRY the food
Wiggle worms are given 2 warnings, 3rd time, they are dismissed from the table
I usually do the clean up

My picky eaters are always done first and then it sends a ripple effect and everyone else is finished. So I had to start a new rule where no one can be excused until everyone is finished eating.

[TaylorTots]

Booster seats at the regular table or highchairs. Highchairs are pulled up to regular table for inclusion. No timer, but it hasn't been needed - they talk and eat and get it done in a reasonable amount of time. If they don't eat, they don't eat. I request they try it but won't force a bite. I allow seconds even if something is untouched, but not thirds.

I haven't found a good solution to my only wiggle worm yet other than repeatedly reminding her to sit down and eat. I am working on that. She's new, I am trying to give her time to adjust. We'll see. I like your 2 warnings then dismissed deal. I will need a visual type thing for her warnings though. It should work - thanks!

I clean up after them. I really don't mind. It allows me to transition them to rest time better.

[Angelsj]

What does lunch time look like for you?
Do you have booster seats, child table ...? I have a high chair for the under 18 months set, otherwise they sit at the grown up table. I have boosters, but no one wants to use them. Most of them sit on their knees.

Do you set a timer? No. They do all wait to start until prayers, and are usually done within 20 mins.

Are they expected to eat at least something (if so, how much?) or do you just serve and if they don't eat - oh well? I serve. They eat what they want, but must try one bite of everything before seconds of anything. I don't usually offer thirds, except veggies.

How do you handle wiggle worms? Under three I redirect, but if they get down and run around they are done. Over three isn't usually an issue. I do expect them to ask to be excused, and will bring the littles back to the table to ask that when needed.

Are they expected to clean up after themselves? (ie floor sweeping, table wiping) By 2.5 most can take their plate to the kitchen, then go wash their hands and faces. Other than that, my 12 yo dd gets paid to clean up after lunch.