The Mind of a Child

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Mealtime isn’t just about food—it’s about connection, conversation, and creating lifelong habits. In this episode, we explore how to make family meals a positive experience while encouraging healthy eating habits in children. From picky eating to power struggles, we’ll share practical strategies to transform mealtime into a joyful experience for you and your family.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Avoid labels like “picky eater” to prevent reinforcing negative food behaviors.
2. Offer foods multiple times—it can take 10-15 exposures before a child accepts a new food.
3. Make mealtime enjoyable with creative food presentations, fun names, and engaging conversations.
4. Encourage independence by letting kids serve themselves family-style.
5. Focus on connection, not just nutrition—mealtime should be a time of joy and togetherness.

Episode Highlights:

[00:30] – Why mealtime is a blessing and an opportunity for family bonding
[05:45] – Overcoming power struggles at the dinner table
[11:00] – Fun ways to make food more appealing for kids
[16:15] – The do’s and don’ts of raising healthy eaters
[20:40] – The role of patience when introducing new foods
[26:20] – How family-style meals encourage independence and better eating habits

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast:
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The Mind of a Child leans into early child development to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. Discussions are tailored for parents of children 8 and younger but are relevant for all parents. Your hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews.