Sweet Pea Occupational Therapy

https://www.washingtonpost.com//new-developmental-milesto/

Avocado is a healthy fat and great food for a toddler. Some children refuse them due to the texture. Digging out an avocado with a spoon suddenly makes it a lot more appealing. Lots of praise can be offered for the scooping of the avocado. Eating it is a bonus at first! Parental focus on exploring and engaging with foods is an important step to accepting foods #funfoods #healthyfood #parenting #pickyeaters

Listen to Carrie speak on the Treebark Podcast. Please join Julia Slanina, Mompreneur and CEO of Treehouse Medical, as she talks with leading maternal providers about the biggest issues facing the maternal health community today. To listen go to your favourite podcast app and join Treebark Podcast. On the first episode of the Treebark Podcast Season 4 Julia is joined by Carrie Owen to discuss transitioning to solid foods. Be patient, the beginning of the podcast is a bit glitchy as it was recorded while socially distancing for COVID. #podcast #startingsolids #treebarkpodcast #OT

Touching food prepares the child to accept the food Toddlers explore their environment with their hands learning if objects are hot, soft or cold. This form of learning can help a child feel safe and aware of the characteristics of a food before putting it in their mouth. This little guy now knows that the spread on his biscuit is creamy and gooey. He now feels ready to try it #toddlerlife #newfoods #exploration #nutrition #funwithfood

Happy Halloween #sensoryplay #pumpkinseeds #exploringfood

Pretend play comes naturally to little ones Setting up a play area with a kitchen, table and play food allows your toddler to interact with food in a playful way. There are many good products that simulate food and also allow for pretend cutting and serving food. Have fun #toddlerlife #makebelieve #playwithfood #fun #food

OSOT's When and How to Initiate Tube Weaning webinar is now available to watch on our Archived Webinars page. Complimentary for members! Watch now at www.osot.on.ca/ArchivedWebinars

Playing with food is accepting food Children learn through play. When there is no pressure to eat at mealtime and food is added to playtime, small tastes can happen. Get an old shower curtain or drop sheet and play away. The little ones can explore, make a mess and may even say num num #toddlers #pickyeaters #funwithfood #occupationaltherapy #exploringfood

Hallowing out on Halloween Pumpkins offer so much joy for children. They often love scooping out the seeds using their hands or a big spoon. It’s a great opportunity to let them spread them out on a baking sheet and watch as they shake seasonings onto them. Many will be interested in taking a taste of those baked pumpkin seeds. Don’t forget about pumpkin muffins and pie Children can trace out the pattern for carving out the pumpkin and some can help carve using children safe carving tools. Happy exploring and Happy Halloween #halloween #pumpkins #funwithfood #exposure #exploration #yummyfood #fun #familytime

As a follow up to my last post regarding how watching can oking shows may interest the reluctant eater to try some new foods, below is a good YouTube show https://youtu.be/iAOWt7RnrCY

Kids 2.7x More Likely to Eat Healthy After Watching Cooking Shows With Healthy Food as indicated by a new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour. We knew cooking with your child encouraged them to try new tastes of food, now shows about cooking are also helpful. Studies have shown that limited screen time is effective to promote communication. During these times of social distancing families are relying on shows for entertaining little ones at home, we now know that cooking shows may be a good option #pediatricfeedingnews #pickyeaters #cookingshows #healthyfood #nutrition #funwithfood

http://pediatricfeedingnews.com/kids-2-7x-more-likely-to-e/

THE SILVER LINING OF US ALL BEING HOME FOR MEALTIMES https://www.nytimes.com//busin/family-dinner-returns.html

Fun idea for tummy time

A handful of watermelon Toddlers love to hold foods and munch on them. When a piece of food fits nicely in a toddlers hand, they have more control of taking a small bite then pulling it out of their mouth. Watermelon melts in the mouth with a little bit of munching. At this age all meals and snacks need to be supervised by an adult. Some children prefer small pieces they can pick up and some love to hang on to the stick shaped piece of food. #toddler #exploration #selffeeding #funwithfood #parenting #nutrtion #yummyfood

Happy Fall #pickyeaters #parenting

Is it squishy ? The research indicates just touching a food will result in a comfort with the food that will lead to tasting the food. When your child knows if it is soft or crunchy it helps them know more about the food. It is important that you as a parent say nice touching the muffin. Focusing on the positive is helpful. #explore #touchingfood #pickyeaters

A.D.H.D. Take my hand and come with me, I want to teach you about ADHD. I need you to know, I want to explain,... I have a very different brain. Sights, sounds, and thoughts collide. What to do first? I can't decide. Please understand I'm not to blame, I just can't process things the same. Take my hand and walk with me, Let me show you about ADHD. I try to behave, I want to be good, But I sometimes forget to do as I should. Walk with me and wear my shoes, You'll see its not the way I'd choose. I do know what I'm supposed to do, But my brain is slow getting the message through. Take my hand and talk with me, I want to tell you about ADHD. I rarely think before I talk, I often run when I should walk. It's hard to get my school work done, My thoughts are outside having fun. I never know just where to start, I think with my feelings and see with my heart. Take my hand and stand by me, I need you to know about ADHD. It's hard to explain but I want you to know, I can't help letting my feelings show. Sometimes I'm angry, jealous, or sad. I feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and mad. I can't concentrate and I lose all my stuff. I try really hard but it's never enough. Take my hand and learn with me, We need to know more about ADHD. I worry a lot about getting things wrong, Everything I do takes twice as long. Everyday is exhausting for me... Looking through the fog of ADHD. I'm often so misunderstood, I would change in a heartbeat if I could. Take my hand and listen to me, I want to share a secret about ADHD. I want you to know there is more to me. I'm not defined by it, you see. I'm sensitive, kind and lots of fun. I'm blamed for things I haven't done. I'm the loyalist friend you'll ever know, I just need a chance to let it show. Take my hand and look at me, Just forget about the ADHD. I have real feelings just like you. The love in my heart is just as true. I may have a brain that can never rest, But please understand I'm trying my best. I want you to know, I need you to see, I'm more than the label, I am still me!!!! ~Author Unknown Copy and paste this as your status if u know someone with A.D.H.D or know the struggle yourself. When people tell you it's an excuse just read them this!

To Have Dog or Not to Have Dog in the kitchen ?!? I am often asked this question. Sometimes a dog is a parent’s best friend as they clean up the floors. Sometimes your pet dog is just the distraction a picky eater needs. Feeding the dog is a lot more fun than eating the food. If your little one is easily distracted by their beloved pet, maybe it’s a good idea not to have the hungry puppy nearby during mealtime ... #saints #familypet #pickyeaters #sharing #foodavoidance #happymealtimes #parenting #toddlers

As we head into fall there are lots of veggies from your garden that can offer new tastes. This yellow sweet pepper is the perfect size for a toddler’s hand. They may only start by taking bites and spitting the little pieces out. Offer lots of encouragement for trying the new pepper. Talk about if it’s is crunchy and that it is very yellow. This is not the time to ask if they like it. The more your child explores a food the more chance they will take a bite and swallow some. Remember, a little one needs to taste it 10-15 times before they feel safe with the new food #toddler #newfoods #momslife #dads #pickyeaters #nutrition #gardening

The challenge of parenting a picky eater #parentlife #pickyeaters #lifechallenges #nutrition