Picky Eaters: Tips to Decrease Mealtime Stress
January 13, 2022
Janna Lopez, MS, OTR/L
If you’ve ever eaten a meal with a child, you know that it can be a very stressful time. Picky eating is something that many kids struggle with, but there’s a point where it can become problem feeding. Problem feeding is persistent, and the stress response when offered a new food can be much larger.
Tips & Tricks
If mealtimes are stressful for your family, try these tips to decrease stress:
- Establish a positive and fun transition into mealtime. This can be singing a song, setting the table, or washing hands.
- Talk about your food! Model positive interactions with food so that your child can see your own relationship with food.
- Give your kiddo choices at mealtime, and always include preferred foods when offering non-preferred or new foods.
- If it is age-appropriate, include the child in preparation of meals. This can help increase their comfort level with food and give them positive interactions with you!
- Eat together as a family. As children, we learn a lot from our family and watching them eat is a great way to learn skills.
If you have concerns about your child’s eating habits or difficulties, please visit our website or give us a call at (859) 353-3666 to learn about how we can help. We have Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists who are trained in feeding therapy and would love to help you and your family!
By Mallory Goettl, MS OTR/L
Coloring is more than just a fun activity, it is a powerful tool therapists use to help children build important developmental skills while keeping therapy engaging and playful. Coloring can support communication, movement, coordination, focus, and creativity all at the same time. Best of all, children often do not even realize how much they are learning because they are having fun! We recently hosted a coloring contest in our clinics, and the kiddos had so much fun showing their creativity! At the end of this post, we've included two coloring page designs that you can download, print, and color at home or on the go!
By Emily Benningfield, SLP
By Alyssa Turner, OTR/L
Try this fun Easter-themed feeding activity to encourage food exploration and positive mealtime experiences.
Help your child adjust to time changes with simple sleep strategies that support healthy routines.
Silly books build language, imagination, and connection. Learn why they’re great for development.
Learn how to safely introduce allergens to your baby and support healthy feeding development.
Keep kids regulated and engaged during snow days with these easy sensory activity ideas.
Learn how orthotics can support mobility and confidence through a real family’s experience.
![We’ve loved seeing your stories roll in over the past couple weeks and wanted to share one of our own, thanks to therapists Lauren & Maya and their friend Tiffany. ❤️
Last week, OT Ms. Lauren and ST Ms. Maya accompanied Tiffany on a HUGE adventure, attending the Special Needs Camp of Kentucky for activities, friendship, and growth ? Headquartered in Bath County, SNCKI is free to attend, with nearly 100 campers enrolled this year! Ms. Lauren shared her thoughts with the HTP team when she got home: “The other campers welcomed [Tiffany] with open arms, and she made so many new friends…A space where 76 teens/adults with disabilities of all kinds were free to just be them and make those connections with each other while having tons of fun. We have had moments that were trickier to navigate, but we did it together.”
One of the nights was family and community night, featuring a group dance and a talent showcase. ?Lauren said, “The amount of love and support in the gym was out of this world. For her mom to see that, to know that we’ve got her girl no matter what, means more than any treatment code or note I could ever write. She is already asking when she gets to come back…and even told her mom to ‘buy a new house at camp’? If you are not already, follow Special Needs Connections of Kentucky, Inc on facebook. They are doing such AMAZING things for our community here and deserve so much support.” ? We couldn’t agree more!
Therapy isn’t about treatment codes, billable hours, documentation, or recertification. It’s about the meaningful moments and the love we pour into these children every single day. This is why Hogg Therapy exists—to give every child the opportunity to experience a meaningful, joyful life. ✨ Thank you, Lauren and Maya for your support both in and outside of the clinic and for sharing this story! ?](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/747807719_18212073508337241_9129116297997701917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=tCWn73_5rtkQ7kNvwH3v3Fu&_nc_oc=AdqkXs1j4ZibIrHGmF4E8N_h4pPTqd7alGUClKuAZJPwzyeBHeyUR_ZcrYg_4cVwuDU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=vwJTdBoB7zrAvRerPWqvQg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQF41Zl_n7k3boMLx0v6KZmFef6jQAsCYQB6Euk0DRgcmg9VQYcOtcoy1K_JwgFjdBtvW-XhcKKh5A&oh=00_AQH6nHwwcQx67Qf_5CXNZryVofNO1fXGJXoa4k0tKyf7rA&oe=6A715C8A)
![We’re sharing an occupational therapy success story from OT Mrs. Abby today! ? Meet Grayson! When he first started occupational therapy, everyday life felt hard. He was experiencing significant picky eating, struggled with daily routines and transitions, and had a difficult time managing big emotions.
Since then, Grayson has put in so much hard work. Through OT, he has built confidence, strengthened his self-regulation skills, and learned to take on new and challenging tasks with courage. Every small step has added up to something truly amazing! One of the biggest reasons for Grayson’s success has been the incredible partnership with his parents. They fully embraced therapy beyond the clinic by consistently practicing strategies at home through his Home Exercise Program (HEP). Their dedication, encouragement, and willingness to try new approaches have made all the difference.
Today, Grayson is trying new foods every week, navigating daily routines with greater independence, and enjoying more successful, joyful moments with his family. His growth is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a determined child, committed caregivers, and a supportive therapy team work together.
?Congratulations, Grayson! We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and we’re celebrating your amazing parents, too. Your hard work, perseverance, and teamwork are inspiring! ?
[This story & all photos shared with parent permission ??] #occupationaltherapy #hoggtherapypediatrics #hoggtherapy #feedingtherapy](https://scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/742695277_18211398901337241_3568386461214310976_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=ZuMQwTXiLRAQ7kNvwHysT2v&_nc_oc=AdrgLD2KE3BZ_Tgj_jypYgv50BwgBbMAwW3P8YcFpBKy6YBOzq7lF46_XJAjv4qroGc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=vwJTdBoB7zrAvRerPWqvQg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEqtbpOGUNepGhevIyk4fRBIrm8P_FrSrFes5-iwkMuOa6YMRrnWm_0pORbcUjw4pPvl28IGG1m5w&oh=00_AQF1x62b40JsOzrFUraP5eRmixwm7vU9IHo4ZICEVQCZtw&oe=6A71734E)
