Between soccer practices, playdates and other scheduling conflicts, family mealtime may seem like a thing of the past. But eating dinner together as a family every night keeps the doors of communication open between parents and children. Furthermore, family dinners are also a perfect opportunity for moms and dads to let children know that they’re a priority.
For parents wondering how they can make the most of family dinners, Kiddie Academy offers the following tips:
- Be curious – Showing an interest in a child’s likes and dislikes can result in the child feeling appreciated, respected and emotionally secure. Ultimately, the child experiences a surge in self-confidence, which can positively shape his or her developmental progress in the classroom.
- Get creative with conversation — Lively dialog is crucial to getting your kids to listen and share, so have all family members tell their favorite part or biggest challenge of the day. Not only will this give everyone a glimpse into each other’s routine, but it will also help kids expand their vocabulary with new and intriguing words.
- Be specific in your questions — Instead of just inquiring about the day at school, ask about a particular book the child may be reading or an art project he or she may be crafting. This will help the child foster ideas and opinions about the assignment that he or she may not have previously considered.
- Let kids plan the menu — Getting children involved in the planning aspect of dinner gets them accustomed to thinking ahead and following step-by-step directions. Additionally, cooking is a great way to have them practice their math skills, such as adding fractions.
At Kiddie Academy, our nutritious meals and snacks are served family style because we believe that when children and teachers eat together, they do more than share food. They share stories.
They learn from each other.
Come see how family style dining and all our Life Essentials® can help better prepare your child for school and for life.
Let’s eat!
