The Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding, developed by Ellyn Satter, a registered dietitian and family therapist, is a widely respected approach to feeding children.
Summary: Parent provides, child decides. The partent decides what to provide and then let’s the child decide whether or not to each what is provided.
This model is designed to foster healthy eating habits and attitudes towards food in children and to reduce conflicts during mealtime. The model divides the responsibilities of eating between the parents (or caregivers) and the child, with clear boundaries for each.
Here’s how the responsibilities are divided:
- Parent’s Responsibilities:
- What: Parents decide what foods are offered. This includes choosing the type and variety of food provided during meals and snacks.
- When: Parents determine the timing of meals and snacks, establishing a regular schedule for eating times.
- Where: Parents control the environment where eating takes place, typically at home, at the dining table, or another designated eating area.
- Child’s Responsibilities:
- Whether: The child decides whether or not to eat what is provided. There is no pressure to eat specific foods or any food at all.
- How Much: The child controls how much they eat of what is offered. This empowers children to listen to their own hunger and fullness cues.
The key principles of this model include:
- Trust: Trusting children to know how much and whether to eat. This approach believes that when children are offered a selection of healthy foods, they will naturally eat the amount their body needs and learn to enjoy a variety of foods over time.
- Reducing Pressure and Stress: By clearly dividing responsibilities, this approach aims to reduce mealtime battles. Parents are encouraged not to pressure children to eat more or less of certain foods.
- Supporting Internal Regulation: The model promotes children’s ability to self-regulate food intake, which is crucial for developing a healthy relationship with food.
This approach is particularly helpful in preventing and addressing feeding problems and disorders. It encourages a positive, relaxed approach to meals and helps children develop healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. It’s important to adapt the model as children grow and their needs change, and to consult with healthcare professionals if there are concerns about a child’s growth, development, or eating behaviors.