Jídelní chování dětí v mateřské škole

Development of eating behaviour is influenced by both family and social environment. Patterns of child’s eating behaviour are characterized by the approach to food, by the skill of using cutlery, by the culture of eating as well as the ability to adapt oneself to novel environment and offered meals. The analysis of children’s behaviour from the entry to a dining room till the end of a meal demonstrated developmental characteristics of eating, gender differences in the attitudes towards food and in the speed of eating. Behaviour in the eating situation may reveal absence of appropriate eating habits in the family, deviations from normal food intake and possible behavioural disturbances. The results of our observation might contribute to the understanding of some mental problems of children, causes of negative attitudes towards kindergarten that are associated with meals and eating situations. The role of teachers is important as they add to or even compensate for the absence of family education.