1. Module 1: Creating Positive Mealtime Attitudes Cooking Matters for Child Care Professionals NATIONALLY SPONSORED BY

2. Rituals Are Comforting Rituals… Strengthen personal bonds Create a sense of belonging Remind people of their ties to history and tradition Reinforce shared values

3. The Emotional Value of Rituals Rituals are: Symbolic Creative Related to feelings and memories

4. Mealtime Rituals Lead to Healthy Behaviors Mealtime rituals: Help kids develop healthy food habits Encourage positive mealtime behaviors

5. Children Imitate Others Children imitate: Parents Caregivers Siblings Relatives Other children Celebrities and cartoon heroes Model the behaviors and attitudes you want children to follow. They are watching you!

6. What Do Children Learn About Eating From You? What, when, and where to eat and drink How to prepare food How to serve food Mealtime behavior Attitudes about food

7. Want Kids to Reach for Healthy Foods? Make sure healthy foods are in reach! Let kids learn by choosing for themselves which foods to take and how much to eat

8. Questions?