Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding
Parents are responsible for:
What, When, and Where
WHAT food is provided
WHEN foodtime occurs
WHERE food will be provided
Parents’ Feeding Jobs:
Choose and prepare the food.
Provide regular meals and snacks.
Make mealtimes pleasant.
Show by example how to behave during mealtimes.
Be considerate of children and their lack of food experience.
Let children grow into bodies that are right for them.
Children are responsible for:
How much and Whether
HOW MUCH food to eat from what is offered
WHETHER or not to eat the offered food
Children’s Eating Jobs:
Children will eat.
They will eat the amount they need.
They will learn to eat the food their parents eat and provide.
They will grow predictable.
They will learn to behave well at mealtimes.
Why do we follow the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding at APT?
Shifts mealtimes from controlling the experience to supporting feeding
This becomes more child focused
The feeding relationship with a child changes over time but the division of responsibility remains
It is about defining clear roles for parents and children to set clear boundaries
It emphasizes how the feeding relationship is rooted in trust
Parents provide a supportive, positive eating environment
The child will be able and capable to eat and will grow appropriately
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