Meal Times
As we all have learned both through our studies and through experience kids are great imitators. They learn by watching their parents, siblings and peers. If they see someone sticking out their tongue then they will typically try to stick out theirs also. If they hear us say something (and many times it is something we wish they hadn't heard) they will be undoubtedly be sure to repeat it at the most inappropriate and embarrassing moment for us. Kids will be kids.
So why is it that we often forget this fact when it comes to eating problems? Not necessarily us, the therapists, but "us" the parents who have children with eating problems. I have worked with parents who leave numerous plates of snack food out throughout the house so their child can find food to eat during the day because they won't eat at meal times. Hmmm... wonder why? I have worked with parents who will cook a meal for the family but then cook something totally separate for their child because they only eat one or two things. Hmmm.. wonder why? I have worked with parents who will feed their child before (or after) the rest of the family eats because they are either too messy, or too picky , or not using their utensils and have to be fed their meal. Hmmm... wonder why?
If you have a child who is too picky or too messy or not using utensils would you not want them to watch and participate in meal times so they can watch and learn and imitate the right way to eat? If a child is always fed by their parents because they are too messy or take too long to feed themselves they will never be able to correct this behavior if they aren't allowed to experiment and touch and feel their food. We as therapists now how important the sensory aspect is to eating and some times we need to share that with the families who may have forgotten or not realize their child really needs to do this in order to move ahead and be successful with their meals.
If our kiddos learn by imitating then what better way to expose them to the whole routine of meal times than by having them involved in the whole experience? Have them in the kitchen playing (or in the next room if it is not safe in the kitchen). Allow them to smell the food cooking. If possible allow them to help with the meals (pour food into saucepans or bowls, scoop out food from containers/bowls and place onto plates, etc.). Allow them to watch their family eat, using utensils, trying different foods. Encourage them to imitate what they are watching (taking bites, using utensils - even if it may get messy). Make sure that they have on their plate what the rest of the family has on their plates. If they don't want to take bites of unfamiliar food encourage them to touch it, smell it, even kiss it and eventually to take a bite. They don't have to swallow it right away and should be allowed to spit it into a napkin or "spit cup" (more on this technique on a later blog).
Sharing mealtimes as a family is so important on many,many levels but for the youngest members of the family it is a perfect time to watch and imitate and learn the skills needed to be successful at meal times. As therapist we need to remember to not just encourage our families to do this but to explain just why it is so important in their child's development. This is just one step in helping our picky eaters to become successful eaters.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you here again next week.