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Does your toddler refuse vegetables, reject unfamiliar foods or insist on eating the same meal every day? If so, you are not alone. Picky eating in toddlers is a common concern for parents, particularly during the early years when children begin developing their own preferences, routines and sense of independence.
For families in Abu Dhabi, helping children build healthier eating habits is a shared responsibility between home and nursery. Familiar routines, positive mealtime experiences and repeated opportunities to explore different foods can help children become more comfortable with a wider variety of meals over time.
At Spring Fields Preschools, we believe early childhood is an important time to develop everyday habits that support children’s wellbeing, independence and learning.
Young children are still discovering the world around them, and food is no exception. A meal that looks appealing to an adult may seem unfamiliar or unpleasant to a toddler.
Several factors can influence a child’s eating habits:
Picky eating does not automatically mean a child has a nutritional problem. However, consistently eating very few foods, struggling with certain textures or showing signs of poor growth may require professional advice.
Understanding the reason behind a child’s preferences is a more useful starting point than labelling them a difficult eater.
A nursery is more than a place where children learn through play. It is also an environment where they develop social routines, independence and everyday habits.
A 2026 study published in Frontiers in Public Health, examining food preferences among 64 children aged four to eight in Abu Dhabi, found that teachers, peers, school food practices and family routines all influenced children’s understanding of and choices around food.
Although the study included children beyond toddler age, it highlights an important point: children’s food habits are shaped by the environments and people around them.
A supportive nursery environment can help children:
These experiences can complement the habits children develop at home.
A completely unfamiliar meal can feel overwhelming to a young child. Instead of replacing everything they enjoy, introduce one new food alongside something they already accept.
For example, if your child enjoys rice, you could serve it with a small portion of a familiar vegetable or a new food prepared in a recognisable way.
The aim is to make exploration feel manageable. A child does not have to finish a new food for the experience to be worthwhile.
Children may need to encounter a food several times before they feel comfortable trying it. Seeing, touching, smelling or tasting a food can all be part of the learning process.
Try offering a small portion of a new food on different occasions. Avoid forcing your child to take a bite or finish everything on the plate.
Abu Dhabi’s local guidance on picky eating recommends repeated exposure, familiar foods alongside unfamiliar ones and avoiding pressure to finish meals.
Patience matters. Progress may be gradual, and a child’s response can vary from one day to the next.
Children benefit from routines they can understand. Regular meal and snack times can help establish a predictable rhythm throughout the day.
Where possible:
A predictable routine can make mealtimes feel more comfortable without requiring every meal to be perfect.
Food does not always need to be introduced through a formal meal. Age-appropriate activities can help children become curious about what they eat.
Depending on the child’s age and safety needs, parents and educators could:
These activities encourage curiosity and familiarity. They should not be used to pressure children into eating a particular food.
Always supervise food-related activities and follow appropriate food hygiene and choking-prevention practices.
Children learn by watching adults. When parents and educators eat a varied range of foods and speak positively about meals, they give children opportunities to observe healthy habits.
Instead of saying, “You must eat your vegetables because they are good for you,” try describing the food in a neutral, inviting way.
For example:
The goal is to make food familiar and interesting, not to persuade a child through repeated instructions.
Consistency between home and nursery can help adults understand a child’s eating patterns.
Parents can share useful information with educators, including:
Educators can share observations about what the child eats, which foods they explore and whether particular situations affect their mealtime experience.
This two-way communication helps adults support the child without creating conflicting expectations.
For children who bring food from home, a lunchbox can offer familiar options while gradually introducing variety.
Consider these practical principles:
Include familiar foods. A child may feel more comfortable when at least one accepted food is available.
Offer age-appropriate variety. Where suitable, include a selection of foods from different food groups, considering the child’s age, dietary needs and appetite.
Make food manageable to eat. Use suitable portions and textures, and prepare foods in ways that match the child’s chewing and developmental abilities.
Keep preparation practical. Choose foods that can be packed and stored safely according to nursery requirements.
Follow the nursery’s food policy. Check guidance on allergens, permitted foods, storage and any restrictions before preparing your child’s lunchbox.
A 2026 study of children’s food habits in Abu Dhabi also highlighted the influence of lunchbox practices, preparation time and the appearance of food. Simple, colourful presentation may encourage curiosity, but there is no need to create elaborate meals every day.
The focus should remain on safe, balanced and practical food choices rather than making every lunchbox look perfect.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has a Food and Nutrition Policy for early education institutions. The policy establishes a framework for food and nutrition in these settings, including consideration of children’s individual needs and parent engagement in nutrition-related decisions.
For parents, this reinforces the importance of communicating with their child’s nursery about dietary requirements, allergies and relevant feeding concerns.
You can read the official policy on the ADEK website.
Parents should also check their individual nursery’s procedures, since practical arrangements for meals and lunchboxes may vary.
Picky eating can be part of a child’s development, but some concerns deserve closer attention.
Speak with your child’s paediatrician if your child:
A healthcare professional can assess whether the child needs further evaluation or support from a qualified feeding or nutrition specialist.
Avoid forcing food, using punishment or withholding all familiar foods to make a child eat something new. These approaches can increase distress and make mealtimes more difficult.
Helping picky eaters develop healthier habits takes time, patience and cooperation. Children do not need to accept every food immediately, and one difficult meal does not define their long-term eating habits.
When parents and nursery educators provide familiar options, encourage gentle exploration and maintain calm routines, children can gradually develop a more positive relationship with food.
At Spring Fields Preschools in Abu Dhabi, early learning includes everyday experiences that help children build confidence, independence and positive routines. Families can explore our classes and early learning approach to learn more about the experiences available to young children.
Looking for a nursery that values your child’s individual needs? Contact Spring Fields Preschools to learn more about our early learning environment and discuss your child’s needs with our team.
Picky eating is common during early childhood as children develop food preferences and independence. However, severe or persistent food restriction, feeding difficulties or concerns about growth should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Offer small portions of unfamiliar foods alongside familiar favourites. Let your child explore the food without pressure, and offer it again on other occasions. Touching, smelling or looking at food can be part of the process.
No. Forcing children to finish their meals can make mealtimes stressful. Offer appropriate portions, encourage a calm routine and pay attention to your child’s hunger and fullness cues. Discuss ongoing concerns with your child’s healthcare professional.
Start with foods your child usually accepts, then introduce suitable variety gradually. Follow the nursery’s rules for allergens, food storage and permitted foods. Prepare food in age-appropriate shapes and textures to reduce choking risks.
Nursery educators can support positive routines, model healthy eating behaviours and communicate observations to parents. They can complement the family’s approach, but persistent feeding or nutritional concerns may require professional assessment.
Seek professional advice if your child has an extremely restricted diet, difficulty chewing or swallowing, frequent choking, signs of dehydration, poor growth or significant distress around eating. Early assessment can help identify appropriate support.
