Table 3 Description of the five healthy conversation topics and key messages
Healthy conversation topics | Key messages |
|---|---|
Session 1 – Reducing stress at mealtimes | |
Food refusal and child hunger/fullness | “Parent provides, child decides”: Parents can provide healthy meals and snacks; and let the child decide if they are hungry. |
Supporting child taste development | Offering new or disliked foods multiple (10–12) times helps children taste and accept (or even like) new foods. |
Session 2 – Limiting screens without tantrums | |
Create a family digital media plan | Creating a ‘family technology plan’ helps everyone in your family balance and manage technology use. |
Alternatives to screens | Limiting screen time is challenging so it helps to plan ahead and make a “toolbox” of alternatives. |
Session 3 – Supporting movement skills in children | |
Get children moving with active play | For young children, physical activity is about active play. It does not have to involve structured or planned activities. |
When it comes to encouraging active play, parents make a difference | Parents make a difference – encourage your child to be active by watching them, participating with them, and helping them discover activities they like to do. |
Session 4 – Bedtime activities and routines to support sleep | |
Creating a bedtime routine | A consistent bedtime routine can help children sleep. |
Overcoming barriers to bedtime routines | Make the bedroom environment as “sleep friendly” as possible and enlist the support of “significant others” in implementing sleep routines. |
Session 5 – Celebrating achievements | |
Wins with food refusal and child taste development | Be confident in yourself and your ability as a parent to positively influence your child’s health behaviors. |
Wins with screen time, active play, and sleep | Keep up the good work and be kind to yourself! |