If you’re worried about your picky eater’s nutrition, want to make mealtimes less stressful and need some insider tricks to get your picky eaters eating then grab our Picky Eater Meal Ideas Free Printable!
It’s so frustrating when your child has frequent meltdowns, never stops moving, or doesn’t listen. These are all signs of sensory "issues" but there are more. Learn more with our 21 Sensory Red Flags You Might Be Missing.
It’s alarming when your baby refuses or has trouble chewing their food. They may spit it out, gag, or refuse to even try. You need a plan! How about 10 simple steps to teach your baby how to eat table foods.
Learn about tools that support occupational therapy or are resources for pediatric occupational therapists in the areas of feeding and sensory processing!
Get inspired with the list of feeding goals for picky eaters that’s perfect for OT’s and speech therapists that are providing pediatric feeding therapy! If you’ve found your way here from a Google search as an occupational therapist (OT) or a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for feeding goals for picky eaters, you’ll find a lot of examples below. But, this is also a parent-friendly post, because I think, as a parent, it’s...
Learn what sensory self regulation is, why it matters, and what sensory strategies improve self regulation skills in kids that have sensory “issues” or difficulties. Sensory self-regulation is one of those terms that pediatric occupational therapists, like myself, often use with parents. But, what the heck does it mean?? While it might seem like OT jargon, self-regulation is an important skill that many kids with general sensory...
There’s a big connection between ADHD and sensory issues that’s often not explained to parents, but can have a big impact on sensory overload, social interactions, and focus! Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a common neurodevelopmental condition that’s most often diagnosed in children. Although, adults can receive the diagnosis too! In 2016, the CDC estimated that about 10% of children have ADHD. That’s...
A special message to schools trying to help picky eater kids at lunch. What to avoid that often makes kids eating worse and what you can do instead! My heart skipped a beat, and then my jaw clenched as I read yet another story of a school using rewards to encourage kids to eat “healthy” foods. Dana* is a mom and student in our picky eating program, Mealtime Works. She posted this in our private fb group: Looking for advice about...
Learn exactly what this new diagnosis of Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) means for picky eater kids, how it differs from ARFID, and how to help kids overcome PFD with ways that align that with positive parenting. Have you heard the news? As of October 1st, 2021 there is a brand new diagnosis for kids. It’s called Pediatric Feeding Disorder, or PFD, and is much needed. As an occupational therapist that specializes in feeding, my hope is that it helps...
Need your baby to take a bottle before you go back to work, try these 8 tips from a momma and OT to give you some peace of mind while you’re working! When I picked my oldest son up from daycare for the first time, I heard words that had me spiraling into a panic…. “He cried most of the time you were gone, and he only took about 3-4 ounces of milk the entire day.” I had been gone for a total of 11 hours. How was this possible? I had worked so...
Learn executive functioning skills by age to see if executive functioning skills are affecting their life. Get specific executive functioning activities for kids, too! Affiliate links used below. See our full disclosure. Tommy had a friend from school over for the very first time. Really, it’s his first real playdate. His mom set him and his friend up with some snacks and a game of Uno. It’s a game he’s played quite a few times during family game...
Wonder if your kid is a righty or lefty? Learn when your child should have clear hand dominance and why it matters. Plus, easy activities to help your child establish hand dominance. Affiliate links used below. See our full disclosure. I met my little friend Adam* when he had just turned 6. He was in kindergarten and his family and teachers were worried about his cutting, handwriting, and eating. The problem was that Adam switched hands every...
Find the perfect fidget toy for school to help your child focus and sit still while they’re learning in the classroom. You’ll also learn what fidget toys teachers can’t stand and usually ban from their classrooms! Affiliate links used below. See our full disclosure. It’s time for back to school, and while you may be excited to embrace that school routine again, you also want to give your kid some tools to help them...
Get your kids ready to go back to school with these fun fine motor activities that will have your child’s hands ready for writing and cutting! Affiliate links used below. See our full disclosure. Summer is a great time to experience new things. But it’s also a great time to “sneak” in activities that will help your kids develop the fine motor skills they’ll need for the school year. Today, my friend and fellow OT...
Get inspired, plan your meals, or just copy the done for you meal ideas with this awesome printable for toddlers and babies!