Feeding Therapy Ideas for Home:
Megan Banham, CCC- SLP
Many times when talking with a parent about feeding, I discuss the importance of novelty. Novelty refers to “the quality of being new, original, or unusual.” Novelty is important because it makes food fun, relieves pressure or stress around food, and can increase flexibility with new foods or preferred foods. Novelty in regards to food can be as simple as changing the shape, temperature or color of a preferred food, or as complex as making homemade edible kinetic sand. Novelty doesn’t always lead to a child eating a food, but it allows for positive experiences and exposure to new foods. Below are some ideas to incorporate novelty with food at home:
Introduce different utensils: This could include toothpicks, animal food picks, tongs, or spoons and forks made to look like construction vehicles. You will be surprised how motivating a new utensil can be. My daughter wouldn’t eat peas until I showed her how to stab them with a toothpick.
Carve fruits and vegetables: Hand your kids a variety of ‘safe’ carving tools and see who can make the coolest design or shape. Maybe your kid won’t eat vegetables but they might enjoy cutting shapes or designs into them.
Have a tea party- There is something magical about small cups, plates, and a little teapot!
Play baseball or another sport: Grab some food from your pantry or refrigerator, head outside and find out what happens when you hit them with a baseball bat, shoot a hoop, or throw them against a wall.
Jello trap: Make some jello, but before letting it set, place some animals, cars, or another toy in it. Place it in the fridge, allow it to set up, and then give your child some tools to rescue their toys.
Make a face: This could be done at a meal or snack time, with preferred or non-preferred food items. Give your child a variety of foods and see if they can make an animal or face out of them.
Make some edible paint: Find the recipe here https://www.therealisticmama.com/edible-paint-for-kids/
Build a house or tower: I did this with mashed potatoes and chicken nuggets, but a variety of other foods could be used. See who can build the highest tower in a minute or make the best house.
These are just a few of my favorite feeding ideas! If you are ever searching for new ways to make food fun ask your feeding therapist!