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I have a little guy who came from a Montessori preschool. I don't think he did very well there, but the one thing he keeps saying he misses is snack time. I guess they let him make his own snack & he says he loves cutting fruits & veggies. I'm wondering if anyone lets the kids make their own snacks, if so what kind of items do you make available, & do you choose one kid to help each day or do they all do their own? I have a helping hands board & they all take turns helping with jobs. I like the idea of letting them do more snack prep, but I'm concerned about how much more work that might be for me as selfish as that sounds. Any thoughts?
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I do tons of cooking! It really helps picky eaters feel investednin the food that ends up on their plate. Our favorites:
1. Quiche- kids put handfuls of grated cheese, broccoli, cherry tomatoes in the pie crusts. They crack eggs and stir. So healthy and fun.
2. Kids cut strawberries with sharper butter knives. Spread pb or yogurt on graham crackers and make little fruit tarts
3. Fishing- pretzel sticks dipped in bait (pb or yogurt) and then goldfish are "fished" out of a blue bowl -
Montessori schools/daycare allow the children independence; they learn at an early age how to clean, cut, pour and many other things
Essentially in preschool they do get to help make snacks (even my own children learned this at an early age); here, once a child is 12 months or older they get small cups (not sippies) for water and milk so they can learn to drink like a normal person. By the time a child leaves my care, between 18-21 months, they know how to eat & drink off plates & cups (not plastic) and they can spoon/fork feed themselves, not to mention help unload dishwashers, set tables (with help) and they all have helped make certain snacks - I offer a Montessori inspired infant childcare home so to me it's normal for little man want to fix what he eats . Check out the website http://www.forsmallhands.com/kitchen... BTW, I use small sized enamel ware for beginner meals because babies are just learning and so kids can pick it up but they graduate to glass for drinks (mini 3-4oz juice glasses)Comment
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I believe children are also allowed to eat when and what they want. At lunch time I set everything out family style and they can take as much as they want of what they want. Some children quickly let go of picky eating habits for a chance to use the tongs or other serving utensils(one rule: eat what you take, no wasting!)
Next on my list is to buy child sized pitchers!Comment
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