How you spend mealtimes together matters a lot.

Mealtimes are great for conversations.  Having conversations with your child and exposing your child to conversations with others exposes him or her to LOTS of WORDS.

There are steps you can take to make the most out of mealtimes:

• Turn off the TV

• Limit your child's snacks during the day to make sure he or she is actually hungry at mealtime

• Get your child involved in meals - give 2-3 choices about healthy things to eat and (if your child is old enough) get him or her to help set the table, getting things from the pantry or even help mixing or pouring

• Don't wait for your child to do all the talking.  Ask questions like - "What was your favorite part of the day?"

• Let your child decide when he or she is done

• Use fresh ingredients, like fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats

If problems do arise, check out the "Problem Solving" part of this webpage.