From busy schedules to stressful mealtimes with problem feeders, we can occasionally catch ourselves demanding our kiddos to “take another bite,” or “eat some more (name food).” But something amazing happens when we change our words from demanding declarations to cheerful comments and/or questions.

What gets celebrated is what gets replicated! Rather than dictating what your child should or should not do in the moment, try guiding them in the right direction by celebrating the end-goal of what you hope for them to accomplish. When we encourage others towards correct next steps rather than make demands of them, they are often more likely to take action.

The same is true of children!

Try using one of these comments or questions next time you want to encourage your little to eat more during mealtime…

20 Fun Phrases to Encourage Feeding:

  1. “Yum! That (name food) looks delicious!”

  2. “Do you want to eat your (food) with a big fork, or a little fork?”

  3. “Should we take a mouse bite or a an elephant bite next?”

  4. “My favorite color on your plate is the orange carrots. What color looks yummy to you?”

  5. “Don’t forget to have a sip of (drink) after your bite!”

  6. “Mommy’s car and tomatoes are red. Can you find something else that is red?”

  7. “Which snack on your plate makes the loudest crunch?”

  8. “Try using your dinosaur chompers with the (food)!”

  9. “What color straw would you like for your smoothie?”

  10. “I can dip my (food) in this sauce! Can you?”

  11. “Do you want your breakfast on this plate or that plate?”

  12. “Tell me how your (food) tastes!”

  13. “Should we taste the (food) off a spoon, or off of our fingers?”

  14. “I love the way this (food) smells!”

  15. “Is that (food) sour or sweet?”

  16. “Can you find something sticky to try?”

  17. “I see (food) and (food) on our plates. Which one should we taste next?”

  18. “I’m using my finger to help scoop the (food) onto my spoon!”

  19. “Which part of the (food) do you want to bite?”

  20. “Please give me another scoop of (food)!”

For more ways to make learning fun while feeding, be sure to ask your SLP during your next visit with us! Not a patient? Send us a message with your question(s) here!

#AVoiceThatLastsForever  #illuminateSTARS

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