As a seasoned speech-language pathologist, I've had the privilege of witnessing the profound connection between communication and mealtime in countless young lives. Mealtime is more than just a chance to refuel; it's a rich opportunity for language development, social interaction, and sensory exploration with family members. Here are some expert tips to make your mealtimes not only nourishing for your child’s body, but also for communication skills:

1. Establish a Mealtime Routine

A mealtime routine is a powerful tool for parents and caregivers. When children are developing, it’s crucial that we give them “time to eat” cues to signal their body that it’s time to eat. Cues are especially critical for children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism or ADHD, where the internal body cues may be disorganized or difficult for the child to detect. Use a 5-minute warning, followed by a verbal “it’s time to wash hands”-cue. Provide a familiar food first to allow your little one to feel calm and excited to eat.

2. Lean into Language

Turn mealtime into a language-learning haven. Engage your child in conversations about the food, its color, taste, and texture. Instead of asking “do you like it?” take turns describing what the food looks like. it’s size, shape, color. Be silly and engaging. Maybe bite off a piece of food and point out how it resembles something that is the child’s favorite. Doing this together can foster vocabulary expansion and expressive language development.

3. Parents are the Models

And I don’t mean on the runway- but- your kids absolutely LOVE watching and learning from you. In fact, research shows that mealtime and bath time are the most engaging times for children with their families. How come? It’s usually the time that parents can slow down and be in the moment with their kids. It’s not always possible, but while you have a structured time together, model positive feeding skills.

4. Serve Family Style

Start early with serving family style. Each family member gets a little bit of food on their plate, even if its something we don’t think they’ll eat. This will get your child used to exposure to unfamiliar or non-preferred foods. If your child demonstrates anxiety with a new food on their plate, use another bowl or plate next to theirs for food exploration at their own pace.

5. Get Your Sous-Chef Involved

Engage your child in activities like setting the table, helping with simple food preparations, or choosing from a selection of healthy options. This hands-on approach not only encourages an opportunity to interact with the food in a low-pressure way, but it promotes a sense of participation and ownership!

Remember, mealtime isn't just about filling bellies; it's about nurturing the communication skills that will serve your child throughout their lifetime. Happy feasting!

-Miss Steph

If you have concerns about your child's feeding or speech or language development, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Bite-Sized Beginnings. We can provide tailored strategies and exercises to support your child's feeding and communication skills.