Spark Conversations

Spark Conversations

Role Modeling: Effective Verbal Comments

Explains elements of effective verbal comments:

  1. Make specific comments.
  2. Be enthusiastic.
  3. Ask questions about the food.
  4. Use absolute comments.

Length- 4:13; for children 2-5 years

Download the Effective verbal comments Handout

Breaking Barriers to Family Mealtimes

BY: DR. MICHELLE KREHBIEL

Learn how to handle common challenges and discuss sensitive topics during family mealtimes.

Length- 8:34; for All Ages

Download Breaking Barriers to Family Mealtimes Handout

Candid Conversations During Mealtimes: Discussing a Pandemic

BY: MIKI MONTGOMERY & FAMILY

It can be hard to talk to kids about a pandemic. Join Miki and her family during dinner as they navigate talking about living through a pandemic.

Length- 4:18; for children 6+ years

LEARN MORE ABOUT DISCUSSING THE PANDEMIC

Culture and Mealtimes

WITH: SANDRA BARRERA

Learn from Sandra Barrera how to discuss diversity and culture, encourage cultural acceptance, and involve kids during mealtimes.

Length- 9:51; for All Ages

Download Handout to Diversify Your Mealtime

Using Praise Effectively

Explains the difference between the types of praise and how to use praise effectively with children.

  1. Be specific to the child and the behavior.
  2. Praise the child’s actions.
  3. Comment on the child’s progress.
  4. Be judgement-free when praising.
  5. Praise children for trying any amount of food.
  6. Praise children for food that they have tried.

Length-4:36; for children 2-5 years

Download the Using praise effectively handout

Exploring Food with Your 5 Senses

WITH: TAMMIE OSTDIEK

We use all 5 of our senses when we eat. Practice being more aware of all of these senses when sitting down for a meal.

Length- 4:22; for children 3+ years

Download Handout to Exploring Food with Your 5 Senses

Engaging Children’s Sense of Sight

Discusses different strategies to engage children’s sense of sight with food.

Length- 4:57; for children 2-5 years

Download the Sensory Exploration: Sight Handout

Mindful Tea Party

BY: RANAE ASPEN & SAVANNAH

Paying attention with curiosity and without judgement to how you eat can be helpful for your health. Practice mindfully eating by noticing how you feel when you eat. Savanna shares her mindful tea party.

Length- 3:45; for children 3+ years

Download The Last Orange on Earth handout

Download Optimizing Healthy Eating Hbits in Early Childhood with Mindfulness handout

Supporting Children’s Self-Regulation in Eating

Introduces the concept of self-regulation and the ability of children to self-regulate their energy intake.

Length- 1:15; for children 2-5 years

Download Mealtime Moves and Countermoves Handout

Candid Conversations during Mealtimes: Discussing Racism

BY: MIKI MONTGOMERY & FAMILY

Talking to children about racism can be difficult. Join Miki and her family as they have a candid conversation around the dinner table about race.

Length- 12:35; for Adolescents

Use the links below to learn more!

Talking to your kids about racism

How to Talk Honestly With Children About Racism

Talking to Children About Racial Bias

Teach children to describe their feelings of hunger

Caregivers can teach children to describe hunger and fullness by using the strategies below:

  1. Teach children vocabulary and gestures to communicate feelings of hunger.
  2. Teach children to recognize hunger as “rumbling in tummies”
  3. Cue children to their level of hunger. Example, “If you are still hungry, you can have more food.”

Length- 3:03; for children 2-5 years

Download the Self-Regulation handout

Role Modeling Feelings of Fullness

Learn how to effectively role model feelings of fullness with young children to support their ability to self-regulate while eating.

Length- 1:54; for children 2-5 years

Download Owl Coloring Activity