What lunch do you pack for a 1 year old at preschool ?

Question

My toddler will start preschool part time for the first time next week . 
He is a really picky eater and I still spoon feed him . 
Any suggestions on what to pack ? 
He loves gold fish crackers and eats those but I'm talking more of a lunch and also what do you pack it in ? Nervous /excited

Answer

Hey there! I'm a preschool teacher and my class is 7 months-17 months right now.  Most kids bring things like a sandwich, pasta, apples, grapes, oranges, pouches, cheese, blueberries, strawberries, cucumber, puffs, ravioli, macaroni, bread, banana, basically anything. I'd recommend if you're able to, try to pack things your child can eat unassisted. So for example, purees are probably not a good idea to bring regularly, but fruit is. Basically it helps the teachers to better supervise all the children during meals and also helps your child with self help and fine motor development.
If you have any more questions before they start, I can answer some! Good luck :)

Answer

I just noticed you said you still spoon feed him. I really really recommend you stop doing that. At one year old he's old enough to feed himself. It's messy for sure, but it will really hinder him if you continue that. I've seen many kids who needed to go through physical therapy because they were fed their whole preschool life and lacked the fine motor skills they should have at five or six years old. He should be working on his pincer grasp and hand eye coordination and meal times are when they get the most practice for that.

Answer

I would ask the school what he needs. My son’s school provides breakfast, lunch and a snack. He eats whatever they have and he gets it on a plate at a little table like all the other kids. Your kids school may have rules of what can be brought in based on allergies of other kids, and they’ll more than likely transition him to eating the same way all the other kids do. Most places don’t have the resources to spoon feed every kid that’s there.

What lunch do you pack for a 1 year old at preschool ?

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