Mealtime Routines: More than Just Eating
- All Care Therapies
- Aug 6
- 1 min read
Mealtime is about more than food; it’s a time for connection, learning, and building healthy habits. Having a consistent mealtime routine can reduce stress for kids (and caregivers!) and help children feel safe, regulated, and ready to eat.
Why Mealtime Routines Matter
Children thrive when they know what to expect. When mealtimes follow a familiar structure, it helps:
● Improve attention and participation at the table
● Reduce mealtime power struggles
● Build independence and self-help skills
● Support healthy eating habits
● Regulate sensory input (like smells, textures, and noise)
What a Mealtime Routine Might Include
● Washing hands before
● Sitting in the same seat each day
● A short transition warning (“In 5 minutes, it’s time to eat!”)
● Eating together with screens off
● Cleaning up together after meals
Tips to Support Mealtime Success
● Use a visual schedule to show mealtime steps (wash hands → eat → clean up)
● Give warnings before transitions to reduce resistance
● Keep meals low-pressure—don’t force bites
● Offer a mix of preferred and new foods
● Celebrate small wins (like trying a bite or staying seated)
Mealtime routines support more than just eating—they help children build attention, regulation, and life skills that extend far beyond the table.
Resources
Dovey, T. M., Staples, P. A., Gibson, E. L., &; Halford, J. C. (2008). Food neophobia and
'picky/fussy' eating in children: a review. Appetite, 50(2-3), 181–193.