Fostering joyful eaters through CELEBRATE Feeding

Food and feeding is an integral part of early learning and child care programs. In addition to regulations for the kinds of foods that are provided, many jurisdictions are including recommendations for responsive feeding environments that encourage children to development positive relationships with food, practice self-regulation through responding to hunger and fullness, and build comfort with a variety of foods and textures.

CELEBRATE Feeding (Coaching in Early Learning Environments to Build a Responsive Approach to Eating and Feeding) is an ongoing research initiative in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island that partners with early learning and child care settings in creating healthy eating environments that promote responsive feeding practices.

This session will introduce the principles of responsive feeding through the CELEBRATE Feeding Approach, including mealtime and feeding routines, supportive language, role modeling, cultural inclusion, and creative opportunities for children to learn about and explore food at their own pace. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the resources available and future opportunities to become involved to reshape the food and feeding environment in early learning and child care.