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Feeding Therapy Corner: Picky Eaters in the Preschool Classroom: 7 Tips for Teachers

by Melanie Potock

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As a pediatric feeding therapist, part of working in the child’s natural environmentis making regular preschool visits to offer teachers and staff guidance when a child is not eagerly participating in mealtimes. Whether a child is a selective eater or the more common picky-eater, here are seven tips for teachers that focus on the seven senses involved in food exploration and eating:

  1. Sight: New foods are better accepted when the sight of them is underwhelming. When serving foods family style, include TWO utensils for scooping from the main bowl or platter [see above]. Present each food with one larger scoop and a standard spoon. The kids at the table can choose which scoop/spoon they would like to use, which allows the more hesitant eater to choose a small sample instead of what might feel like an overwhelming shovel-full. If meals are served pre-plated, offer smaller portions (1 tablespoon) of new foods and allow the kids to request more after their first taste.
  2. Smell: Warm foods often have a stronger aroma and for some kids, this can be a quick turn-off before the food ventures toward their lips. In regards to the hesitant eater, begin passing the bowl of warm foods so that it ends up at his seat last, when it will be less aromatic. For meals that are pre-plated, simply dish up his first but place it in front of him last, so that the food has time to cool a bit.

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