Abstract
ObjectiveThe Table Talk tool is an observational assessment of early care and education teacher (ECET) mealtime practices. The Table Talk Revised (TT-R) tool incorporates new constructs that emerged from qualitative research and teases apart existing categories to improve nuance of data capture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the TT-R, document interrater reliability for the TT-R, and report on ECET feeding communications in broader settings than previously studied (i.e., beyond a single Lunch and Head Start only).MethodsTrained observers conducted mealtime observations in classrooms (Nclassroms = 63, 10 sites) during Breakfast and two Lunches for both Lead and Assistant ECETs (N = 126). Classrooms were spread across Head Start in an urban area (60%), Head Starts in a rural area (24%), and a state-funded preschool (16%).ResultsOn average, there were 22.17 (SD = 10.92) total verbal feeding communications at Breakfast, 37.72 (SD = 15.83) at Lunch1, and 34.39 (SD = 15.05) at Lunch2 with meals averaging 25 min. The most commonly observed supportive statement category was Exploring Foods for Lead (Breakfast = 1.61, Lunch1 = 3.23, Lunch2 = 2.70) and Assistant ECETs (Breakfast = .89, Lunch1 = 2.03) except for Lunch2 which was Encourages Trying in a Positive Way (Lunch2 = 1.30). The most commonly observed unsupportive statement category was Firm Behavioral Control for both Lead (Breakfast = 3.61, Lunch1 = 5.84, Lunch2 = 5.51) and Assistants ECETs (Breakfast = 3.11, Lunch1 = 6.38, Lunch2 = 4.32). The majority of Interclass Correlation Coefficients indicating interrater reliability were in the excellent range (64%) for commonly occurring statement categories, and 14 of the 19 low frequency statement categories had > 80% agreement.Conclusions and implicationsOverall, items added to the Table Talk tool performed well, and interrater reliability was favorable. Our study also documented differences between Lead and Assistant teachers in mealtime practices and illustrated differing patterns of interaction between lunches and breakfast, important findings to inform future research and practice. The TT-R may be a useful measurement tool for monitoring and evaluating ECET practices in mealtime environments as well as informing intervention.
Highlights
Children’s dietary habits before the age of 5 years may influence nutrition behaviors and weight outcomes later in life as well as long-term health [1, 2]
Major revisions represented in the Table Talk Revised (TT-R) included refinement in capturing the type of positive comments early care and education teacher (ECET) use at meals, addition of measuring ECETs’ efforts to coach children through prior and current experiences with a food, and the inclusion of record of comparisons of children to other children or social ideals in regards to eating behaviors
These changes represent an attempt to reflect recent qualitative research in the area of early care and education (ECE) feeding about the intent and strategies ECETs describe deliberately deploying at meals [17]
Summary
Children’s dietary habits before the age of 5 years may influence nutrition behaviors and weight outcomes later in life as well as long-term health [1, 2]. Care and education settings serve more than 50% of children under the age of 5 across the United States; the majority of children in ECE spend 35 h or more per week at these centers [7]. Within these environments, whether in federally -funded programs [i.e., Head Start (HS)], parish/state-funded programs, or private programs, there are standards of practice/ care associated with children’s development, health, and well-being As healthy children are better learners, these standards focus on engaging preschool children in activities to learn about healthy and unhealthy foods, with the understanding that some foods are healthier than others (e.g., Louisiana’s Birth to Five - Early Learning & Development Standards, 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
