Meal time is one of the most underrated times of the day. Most of us caregivers equate meal time to ensuring no food is left over, child is well fed and most importantly, mess free.

Just as we inevitably fall before we learn to walk steadily, mess created through self feeding could also likely take place. Here at Dynamics, our students who join us for our extended program, have their lunch with us. Cooked and packed from home, we extend our life skill coaching to them during this essential part of the day.

Premalatha Chandran
Deputy Head of Early Intervention Centre

Advanced Diploma in Special Education
Singapore

Prema is the Deputy Head of our Early Intervention Centre. Additionally, she is also a Special Education teacher with a class of her own. She has been in the education industry since 2007. From the student care sector to international schools, she has seen her fair share of teaching, learning as well as managing. With her diverse knowledge and experience, she ensures the students get their fair chance of learning with progression at the pace they are most confident in.

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Meal Routine Tips

Here are some tips on how we can work towards independence during meal times:

1. Child-safe cutlery
As children are beginning to learn ways to hold their cutleries and plates/bowls, accidents are bound to happen. Having a plastic set will encourage them to try again instead of feeling frustrated and give up when it drops. Appropriate cutlery is also encouraged for them to get started with. Handling and manoeuvring techniques can then be taught and mastered with consistent practise.

2. Food proportion
Bit by bit, little by little. Ensure the plate/bowl is only half full so that children can have space to allow scooping. The extra space gives them the confidence that they are able to feed themselves with no spillage and they will persevere to do so with minimal guidance.

3. Clean-up
The messy but fun part: Get the child involved with wiping their table after pushing all spills into their empty plates/bowls. Then put away the items where they belong. This gives them a sense of responsibility and builds up their awareness of routines.

4. Praise and compliment
Don’t we all love some compliment or praise to feel assured and validated for a job done and tried? Be generous with your compliments on how well the child has held the spoon/fork or how nicely they have fed themselves with lesser spillage. At the end of it all, the aim is for the child to come out feeling confident of their newly acquired skill. It is in our hands, as the adult, to nurture and guide them through the process. We want everyone to walk away feeling a sense of accomplishment.