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Q. My three-year-old seems to have almost stop eating. I am panicking because I am afraid he won’t grow. He only eats cheese crackers and apple juice. He used to be such a good eater. What can I do to get our son to eat?

The consensus among panel members is that it is not unusual for children at this age to be picky eaters. Here are some suggestions on how to get a child to eat better.

Panelist Julie Davitt suggested that if the child’s energy level is good, “chances are he is getting enough to eat, so not to worry too much, it tends to be temporary. If he is filling up on juice, the child might not be hungry for anything else.” Davitt suggests offering fresh whole fruit or canned fruit as an option. “Keep offering options. They may not always choose broccoli, but broccoli or cauliflower, let the child decide. Let him be part of the choosing process. Take him to the grocery store and let him taste a fruit or vegetable he’s in the mood to try.”

However, Davitt warns, getting the child to keep trying new things, “just have a taste,” could wind up with a lot of food being wasted.

Portion sizes were also discussed. “People don’t realize that their child may be getting enough,” according to panelist Wanda Mercado-Arroyo.

“Serving sizes can be overwhelming, so let the child serve himself so he can gauge the amount based on how hungry he is,” Davitt suggests.

“Make it fun,” Mercado-Arroyo says. “When you make it a game, they get more interested. Ask, ‘What tastes better?’ Or, ‘Let’s see colors.’ Just get their attention.”

The panelists agree on the fact that at age three, children are beginning to be able to make choices and say, “No.”

“This could be a power play,” Mercado-Arroyo notes.

“Everything else in the child’s life is controlled, so his deciding not to eat is one way to look at it,” Joanne Nigito-Raftas points out. “It’s one way to have power, but if the child is really hungry, he will eat.”

However, Raftas also offers the possibility that there may be sensory issues, such as the texture of the food, that are involved. “Sometimes it’s worth getting a sensory assessment.”

In addition, she said if the child is losing weight or not having normal bowel movements, then a whole assessment is warranted. She and the other panelists suggest starting by seeing a pediatrician for an evaluation.

This week’s team of parenting experts and guest panelists are: Pam Wallace, Program Coordinator, Project Child, a program of Valley Youth House; Chad Stefanyak, School Counselor; Wanda Mercado-Arroyo; Joanne Nigito-Raftas, Registered Play Therapist; Denise Continenza, Extension Educator, Food, Families and Health, Penn State Extension: Mike Daniels, LCSW, Psychotherapist, CTS, and

Julie B. Davitt, Nutrition Education Adviser, Penn State Extension Nutrition Links.

The Family Project weekly column is a collaborative effort between the Leigh Valley Press Focus section and Valley Youth House’s Project Child.