Greenville: 864-244-3474 | Spartanburg: 864-576-7188

logologologologo
  • Locations
    • Schools
    • Clinic
  • Services
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Speech Therapy
  • Milestones
    • Speech and Language Development
    • Motor Skills
    • Sensory Development
  • Team
  • Careers
  • Resources
    • Continuing Education
    • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Locations
    • Schools
    • Clinic
  • Services
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Speech Therapy
  • Milestones
    • Speech and Language Development
    • Motor Skills
    • Sensory Development
  • Team
  • Careers
  • Resources
    • Continuing Education
    • Blog
  • Contact Us
By Lauren Wickliffe, MSP, CCC-SLP

As a parent, it’s easy to get caught up in wipes, napkin swipes and spoon scrapes to keep things clean during meal times with littles. But what if we didn’t? What if we encouraged the mess?  Let’s put away our grossed-out faces and get messy!

Children learn through play. Playing with food can be a significant stepping stone toward accepting new foods in a stress-free environment.

This is even more important for our problem feeders. Progressing through the senses – see, smell, touch and maybe eventually taste – can greatly reduce gag reflexes and build acceptance of new foods.

With play, there are fewer surprises when the food touches the tongue for a taste. Kiddos learn about the properties of a food before it reaches their mouth.

Where to begin?

  • Start with foods that you want your child to eat. Research shows that it takes about 15 exposures for kiddos to accept new foods. Continue to offer this “learning food” in a variety of ways. Again, there is no pressure to eat the food.
  • Put away the napkins. Kids are washable! Try to wait until the end of a meal to wipe down your kiddo. Remember that your little is learning about food by touching it with her hands and moving it around her face.
  • Turn your grossed-out face into an excited face.
  • Think like a toddler! Have a Thomas the Train lover? Let’s choo-choo our green beans up our arms. Future artist? Let’s finger paint with different colored yogurts. New baby coming to the family? Let’s turn our carrot into a baby doll. Oh and the sound effects! Sneezing a new food off our heads and watching it “kerplunk” is always an exciting way to start engaging.

Pro tip

Even the best bibs in the world don’t catch everything! Consider a splat mat that is easy to clean up. There are fancy ones on the market, but a shower curtain from your local dollar store is easy to wipe and can even be hosed off if necessary!

LET’S GET MESSY!

Do you ask yourself: “Are my child’s speech and language skills where they need to be?” Request a complimentary screening today!

Are you a speech-language pathologist looking to join an amazing team? Check us out!

Lauren Lea Wickliffe
Previous PostMoms: You haven't failed
Next PostAre you ready for the SCSHA 2019 conference?
Recent Posts
  • Ready for SCSHA? See and Shop in the Holy City!
  • Ready for SCSHA? Let’s relax in the Holy City!
  • Ready for SCSHA? Let’s eat in the Holy City!
  • Annual MTSKids Christmas Ideas
  • Ready for ASHA? Try these places for a great local experience!
Recent Comments
    Archives
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • March 2022
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • July 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • November 2015
    • September 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    Categories
    • MTS Kids
    Meta
    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org

    Copyright 2023 MTS KIDS. All rights reserved. A Neue South Co. Project | Website Designed By: Arrowhead Design Group. | Photography by: Clint Davis