What is the recommended action when a child is not eating lunch?

• A. Speak to his mother at pickup and let her know he is not eating. Help her come up with some alternatives he will eat and keep in touch.
• B. Ignore the problem.
• C. Punish the child to eat.
• D. Wait until the next day to address it.

Answer: (A)

When a child isn’t eating lunch, the best approach is to partner with the family and create a plan together. Talking with his mother at pickup to share what you’ve observed shows you’re actively supporting the child and respecting the home routine. By discussing what the child is willing to eat and brainstorming practical alternatives, you can tailor a solution that fits the child’s preferences, any dietary needs, and family routines. Keeping in touch afterward helps you monitor patterns, adjust strategies, and maintain consistency between school and home, which supports the child’s comfort and positive mealtime associations.

Other options miss the opportunity to support the child and family. Ignoring the problem doesn’t address the child’s needs or patterns. Punishing the child to eat can create negative associations with meals and damage trust. Waiting until tomorrow delays support and chances are the issue will persist or worsen.