Let's EAT!
- anchoredtherapyser
- Jul 21, 2022
- 2 min read
Hello! Today’s Talking Tip revolves around one of my favorite subjects…FOOD. Yes, I am a Foodie, guilty as charged. But truth be told, I think we are ALL Foodies and the love of food starts at a very young age! So, let’s use this natural motivator to help our littles learn to connect and communicate. Mealtime is one of the best times to model and teach social skills and help your child improve their communication. Yet, I have heard (and experienced) how stressful mealtime can be for families. So here are a few tips. I am calling them the Remember to eat your “p’s”
Predictable routines. This may sound boring to us, but it helps the smallest of learners know what is expected of them. What kind of predictable routines can be created around mealtime?
Same place (always eat at the same place in your home)
Same time (or close to it). If your child has difficulty staying at the table, set a visual timer on your phone. Start in small increments and build their stamina.
Same order (set table, say prayer, give utensils, give food, clean up, wipe face and hands)
Present in the moment.
Step. Away. From. The. Screen.
Sit with your child and eat with them.
Patience and Play
Let’s face it, mealtime is messy. But it is the perfect time to exercise patience and “play” with your cute captive audience.
Remember the “here comes the airplane”. There is a reason we do that and why it works. They are looking at the spoon, looking at you, looking back to the spoon, looking back at your eyes, and anticipating that next bite. This is joint attention and social referencing. The basic building blocks for communication and social skills.
Talk to your child about everything and anything related to the meal.
Get them involved. Let them help to set the table and clean up.
Give them choices: do you want to eat your peas first or your carrots?
Start modeling manners; yes please, no thank you, may I be excused. These basic social skills will get them far in life
So your homework for the week is to sit down and eat one meal a day with your child. Even if it is chicken nuggets and chocolate milk for the kids and a liquid lunch for daddy. Make it a social event!
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