what can I do with mindee 3 years, doesn't eat or talk

[actonchildminder]

Some advice needed please, Mindee has been with me for 5 weeks now, he does not eat fruit and veg, in fact nothing I give him.

He eats croissants, other than that if i give him crisps or chocolate he will snatch it out of my hand, but proper food he won't eat, I am really worried about this have spoken to mum and she said he is like that at home.

What can I do to help him to eat food?

Also he doesnt talk, he just makes noises, I am encouraging him to use words.

with the food is there something he really enjoys e.g. Thomas the tank engine or ben 10 if so use this to adapt the food you offer so it is linked to his interests e.g. Percy is a green engine we have got lot's of green foods to try cucumber, celery, cress, You could also design a reward chart along same lines for trying new foods. I would not allow him crisps or chocolate unless he eats healthy food as he may be testing you to see how long before you allow him these foods. I had a mindee who refused to eat but we were consistent with the fact she would not get treats without eating healthy foods first and this paid off. Encourage the parents to do the same at home so that the consistency works with all care givers.

With the talking lots of repetition, singing times, and talk to him often. Praise for any words and opportunities for him to talk too.

There is a girl at pre-school who will refuse to eat any fruit or veg and she will go and sit in a corner (every day) and wimper to herself.
She will only come to the table with the others when the crackers are given out.

The mum says she has always been like this and it's why she has never really tried to get her to have fruit, just lets her have junk food all the time.

Most kids will not starve themselves, but they can be determined little people and know that eventually the adult will crack with guilt

Don't have chocolate or crisps available!
Put food in serving dishes & encourage child to serve themselves, lots of variety. Don't make big issue. Gentle praise if child chooses to eat something and ignore if they don't. Small portions little & often can be best. Be creative and look at different options eg rice cakes (not the flavoured ones), corn crackers, breadsticks poss with dips or spread with cream cheese that child can decorate with chopped veg/fruit, fruit with yogurt dips, smoothies, pasta sauces with hidden veg blended in, frozen fruit puree (ice lolly)
Get child to help prepare the food.
Get a list of food you know he likes & try to create healthy versions

Also consider if there is some kind of sensory issue going on linked to child's lack of language. I have a child who won't eat 'wet' food and who doesn't seem to realise when his mouth his full. He only started speaking at 3 1/2 and still has S&L problems as he doesn't make front of mouth sounds.