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 Like
many other domains of development, children's eating patterns are
largely influenced by learning: about what is edible and what is nonfood,
what is appropriate within the culture and the family regarding cuisine
rules and food etiquette, what types of foods are liked and disliked,
and what cues are important in controlling food intake. Children's
eating patterns move through predictable developmental stages that
present both challenges and opportunities for learning and mastery.
Early feeding interactions influence the set of skills and behaviors
children possess as their eating moves from complete dependence on
the caregiver to a more self-directed control. This paper reviews
early learning about eating from the perspective of the developing
child taking into account the interplay between children's growth
and development, parenting style in the eating domain, children's
nutrient needs, and the ever-changing environment in which child feeding
occurs. It begins with a discussion of the earliest stages of eating
behavior, with a focus on the close pairing between nutritional needs
and early development. Next, it explores the effects of common child-feeding
strategies, the realties of today's family life, and the impact of
our choices on the development of children's eating behaviors. Finally,
it outlines parenting skills that are critical for the creation of
optimal environments that support children's learning, growth, and
health. |
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