Mealtime conversation starters with children

Mealtimes are a significant time during a child’s day. Eating together with your child can be a mindful moment to reconnect and bond. Taking time to eat together with your child can provide you with an opportunity to role model healthy eating habits and to engage in important conversations.

Here are some key benefits to having conversations with children during mealtimes:

-           Supports family bonding and connection

-           Supports children to feel valued and heard

-           Building social skills

-           Children develop and strength communication skills

-           Promotes emotional intelligence as children share their thoughts and feelings

-           Creates an enjoyable daily ritual for children to look forward to

-           Supports mindful eating

If you are needing some inspiration for conversation starters with your child for your next mealtime together, here are some pointers to get you started:

-           Go around the table and share the ‘high’ and ‘low’ of your day

-           Ask your child what they are looking forward to the next day

-           Discuss favourite foods and health benefits of specific foods

-           Talk about friendships encouraging your child to share stories about their play experiences

-           Ask your child what made them laugh today OR go around the table to share a joke

-           Ask your child what is something new they learnt today

-           Talk to your child about kindness and gratitude encouraging them to share what they are grateful for and how they can show kindness to others

-           Discuss your child’s favourite movies of storybooks

-           Ask your child to recall memories, eg family holidays or outings. Let them share their recollection of events.

By prioritising conversations with your child during mealtimes, you are creating fun and memorable opportunities for connection and supporting your child’s overall growth, leaning and development.