Very rarely are children happy to dive straight in to eating new foods (with my children any bread products, cakes, sweets, chocolates or biscuits pose no issue!). The vast majority of the time, it’s going to take a multitude of offerings before they’ll be comfortable enough to take a bite.

I’m often asked, how can I get my child to eat more of something. But rather than focus on eating or encouraging children to try a food, I’d like to ask you to consider that in learning to like new foods, children go on a journey of exploration.

First they need to repeatedly see a new food (in real life, in books and as play food) and they need to see you eating and enjoying it.

They’ll then become comfortable enough to start interacting with it – touching it, smelling it, helping to prepare it, serving it to others at the table or using it in play and craft activities.

After some time, they’ll be able to move on to trying the food. Initially, they may lick it, then put it in their mouth and spit it out, then chew and spit, eventually eating a pea-sized amount and hopefully then increasing how much they ingest.

Keeping the pressure to eat off and going on this journey together, you’ll be able to support your child to develop a love of food.