*If utensils are a problem, there are specially made utensils that are easier to grasp that you could supply. You would also need to model using them and help the child learn to grasp them.

If eating habits are poor, you could

*Model good eating habits.

*Provide a variety of food and encourage the child to try new foods. It takes several attempts for any of us to like a new food, so I tell my students that “your taste buds are growing up, just like you are. So you need to keep trying new foods, because just since you didn’t like it last Tuesday, doesn’t mean you won’t like it today.”

*Allow the children to help prepare the food. If they prepared it themselves, they will be more willing to try it sometimes.

*Serve foods in new ways. If the veggies are usually cooked, try serving them raw. If the meat is usually served hot, chill it in the fridge and let the children make sandwiches out of it.

*Let the kids choose the menu. Have cook books for the children to look at. Maybe they can choose some of the foods to prepare.

*Include a variety of color in the meal. Usually, the more colors there are, the more appealing the meal.

*Read books that explain where fruits and veggies come from and why they are good for us. There are a lot of books like this written for young children and the kids will enjoy them.

*Grow a small vegetable garden in a container inside or a small garden plot outside. Kids are more willing to try a veggie they grew themselves.

*Take the kids on a field trip to a market or grocery store and let them help shop for lunch, even if it’s just going to be peanut butter sandwiches, milk, and apples. Then let them make their own sandwiches.

*Teach some shapes as they cut their sandwiches. “Look, Mary’s sandwich is square, and John cut his in triangles.”

*Enjoy pleasant conversation during meals. Review what you learned during the day, talk about colors and shapes, ask the other kids what they like best about today’s lunch, and make comments like “Oh did you hear Janie? She says she loves the salad. Let’s all try it together! Everybody get a bite on your fork. Here we go…1-2-3! Mmmm, you’re right Janie, it is good!”

These are just a few ideas. Hope they help you out!