FSNE Family Meals Display

UNMANNED DISPLAY

Try to limit your visuals; the display contains a lot of information in itself, so too many additional visuals could detract from the main message. Below are some suggestions to accompany this display:

• Display Handout

• “Family Meals Book List”. This list provides books parents can read with their child.

MINI SESSION

The following activity is for use with the display in a 15-20 minute session. Discuss the display, use opening questions to personalize this activity, and conduct the activity. The goal of the session is for participants to eat family meals together.

Take Home Messages

• Family meals can be any meal including breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. They can take place during the week or on weekends. • Family meals provide an opportunity to eat healthy food together and stay involved in each other’s lives. • Use family mealtime to talk about each others’ day, goals and dreams. • Family members are the best role models for their children. When children see family members eat fruits and veggies, they are more likely to try them. • Family meals can be quick and simple. A sandwich with fruits, veggies, a glass of milk and a positive conversation is a simple recipe for a well-balanced family meal. • Involve children in mealtime. Children love to be a part of “grown up” things like meal planning and preparation.

Opening Questions

• Ask: Who do you eat meals with? • Ask: When are these friends and family members available to spend time and eat together?

Make Meals and Memories Together

“Dinners are hard for us because everyone’s schedules are just too busy. So, we make breakfast our family mealtime.”

“I try to involve my kids in planning and making meals. They love to help wash the fruits and vegetables and set the table.”

“The picky eaters in my family are willing to try new foods when we all eat together.”

“I heard that children who eat with their families are more likely to do well in school.”

Make Family Meals a Priority!

Involve Your Family in Planning Meals for the Week.

Any Meal Can Be a Family Meal.

Enjoy “Meal Talk”. Turn off the Television, Phone, and Computer. Talk About Everyone’s Day.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland’s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.

Activity

• Explain that the following exercises are designed to help find ways to eat more meals together with our family and friends. • Briefly review the fruit and vegetable groups in MyPlate and reinforce the message to include a fruit or vegetable in each family meal. • Distribute “Family Meal Planning” handout. • Direct participants to identify days and meals during the week to set aside for a family meal. Ask participants to then select a fruit or vegetable choice that will be included in that meal. • Direct participants to brainstorm ways each family member can assist during family meals. They can then record their thoughts in the space provided on the handout. • Once finished, ask participants to share how their family members can help with family meals.

Closing Question

• Ask: “What will you do differently after today?” (Encourage them to aim for one or more family meals per week and include family members in the meal planning process)

Background Info (FOR EDUCATORS ONLY)

Research supports that children who eat together with their family: • Tend to have a healthier diet, with more fruits and vegetables. • Are at a lower risk for obesity. • Have more success in school. • Tend to have good vocabulary and communication skills. • Are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse.

Reinforcement Lessons

The following resources discuss material related to this topic and may be used as a follow up to reinforce the concepts in this lesson. • Cooking with Kids Display (found on FSNEP.org) • Read for Health Curriculum; Family Meals Lesson (found on FSNEP.org) • USDA: WIC Works Resource System: Topics A-Z “Family Meals” http://wicworks.nal.usda.gov/topics-z/family-meals

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland’s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.

Family Meal Planning Involve everyone in planning and enjoying family meals!

r Using the chart below, choose which day(s) to have a family meal. r Circle your meal time choice(s).r Plan your meal to include fruits and vegetables.

Involve everyone in planning and enjoying family meals!

Family Meal Planning

Using the chart below, choose which day(s) to have a family meal. Circle your meal time choice(s). Plan your meal to include fruits and vegetables.

With some planning, you can bring everyone together to eat as a family. Family meals can take place anywhere – at home, at a restaurant, at a neighborhood park, or the home of a relative or friend. If you select healthful options, restaurant meals can offer the same benefits of meals at home. (Put below points in boxed format or segmented)

1. Any meal can be a family meal. Choose a time when all family members can be together.

2. If evenings seem too hectic for a family dinner, set aside a time for a weekend breakfast or lunch. Share a healthful snack with your child as you read a book together.

3. Try to have family meals together at least once a week. Try having a family picnic – it is an easy way to combine family mealtime with family playtime.

4. Enjoy “meal talk”. It’s easy to talk and listen to your family members when you face each other rather than eating side-by-side.

Focus on the meal and each other. Turn off the television; take phone calls later. Talk about fun and happy things. Mealtimes are wonderful times to share funny stories and family memories. Try to make meals a stress-free time.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snack Fruit or Vegetable Choice: ______________________

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snack Fruit or Vegetable Choice: ______________________

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snack Fruit or Vegetable Choice: _______________________

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snack Fruit or Vegetable Choice: _______________________

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snack Fruit or Vegetable Choice: _______________________

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snack Fruit or Vegetable Choice: _______________________

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snack Fruit or Vegetable Choice: _______________________

Everyone Can Help with Family Meals Help find ways to involve family members in making meals and meal clean-up.

Young Children Other Family Members Help plan meals Choose meal options Select new food to try Select new food to try Wash fruits and vegetables Grocery shop Select vegetable for meal Peel and chop fruits and vegetables Pick salad ingredients Prepare salad Add, mix and stir ingredients Cut meat Set the table Pour milk and water Clear the table Wash or dry dishes Wipe counters and table Turn off TV and other electronics Other Other

What are some tasks that your children and other family members can do to help with your Family Mealtime?

Name Task

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland’s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.

Family Meal Planning Involve everyone in planning and enjoying family meals!

With some planning, you can bring everyone together to eat as a family. Family meals can take place anywhere – at home, at a restaurant, at a neighborhood park, or the home of a relative or friend. If you select healthful options, restaurant meals can offer the same benefits of meals at home.

1. Any meal can be a family meal. Choose a time when all family members can be together.

2. If evenings seem too hectic for a family dinner, set aside a time for a weekend breakfast or lunch. Share a healthful snack with your child as you read a book together.

3. Try to have family meals together at least once a week. Try having a family picnic – it is an easy way to combine family mealtime with family playtime.

4. Enjoy “meal talk”. It’s easy to talk and listen to your family members when you face each other rather than eating side-by-side. Focus on the meal and each other. Turn off the television; take phone calls later. Talk about fun and happy things. Mealtimes are wonderful times to share funny stories and family memories. Try to make meals a stress-free time.

5. Be a good role model.

6. Family mealtime is a great time for your child to practice healthful eating, proper table manners, and strong conversation skills. It is also a way to build a sense of family unity.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland’s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.

Family Meals Book ListSpend time with your child, reading about how important and fun it is to eat together.

Look for one of the following children’s books at your local library:

“Cook it!” ....................................................................................................Child’s Play

“Family Meals” ..................................................................................Dianne Warren

“Feast for 10” ...................................................................................Cathryn Falwell

“In the Kitchen” .....................................Susan Canizares and Betsey Chessen

“Let’s Eat” ........................................................................................ Anna Zamorano

“We Eat Dinner in the Bathtub” .................................. Angela Shelf Medearis

“We Like to Help Cook” ..................................................................Marcus Allsop

“We’re Making Breakfast for Mother” ....................................... Shirley Neitzel

“We Love the Company” ........................................................Angela Russ-Ayon

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland’s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.