A common challenge for parents of picky eaters is getting their child to accept new foods. As a part of feeding therapy, we talk about how to support children to learn about (and eventually taste) new foods, and the first step is food exposure. Below are some food exposure ideas for you to try with your child.
1. Help with Meal Planning
- While at the supermarket, have your child look in the fruit and vegetable aisle to chose a new food to incorporate into your meal, or have your child take pictures of foods at the supermarket, then look through the pictures once home and decide what new food you will purchase next time.
- Look through a children’s cookbook together and find something to cook together.
- Watch a children’s cooking show together for inspiration.
2. Help with Food Preparation
- Set Up a Food Washing Station – Have you child wash fruits and vegetables using a scrub brush or cloth.
- Food Preparation Using Kitchen Tools – Let your child use child safe knives, a melon baller, apple slicer, cheese grater, mini chopper, cookie cutter, etc. to help with meal preparation.
3. Everyone Needs a Sous Chef
- Spice Master – Let your child measure and pour in spices.
- Master Stirrer – Have you child stir and mix ingredients using a utensil or (depending on the food) their bare hands.
- Taste Tester – Let your child taste the food (if they are willing) as it is cooking and before it goes to the table to decide if any flavours or spices need to be added.
4. Table Service
Ask your child to dish the food onto everyone’s plates (or into a serving dish so everyone at the table can dish up their own meal).
5. Mealtime Role Models
Mealtime should be pressure free with plenty of opportunity for your child to see you and other family members eating and enjoying food.
If you have questions about children’s feeding or concerns for your child, please get in touch. Follow us on Facebook for more speech, language and feeding tips and sign up for South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy’s newsletter if you would like new posts sent directly to your inbox.