Pre-mealtime tips: Creating a safe space for your picky eater
Attunement = to bring into harmony
Simply put, attunement is the ability to be aware of and respond to your child’s needs.
By attuning — being present, connected, and empathetic — caregivers can create a safe space where children feel loved and supported. Kids who feel safe and secure are more curious and willing to be adventurous, and this applies directly to the eating experience.
When a child feels seen and understood, they are more likely to develop a positive self image and feel more confident in their abilities.
Tips to attune to feeding needs:
1. Pay attention to nonverbal cues. Children often communicate their emotions through nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.
2. Validate emotions. When your child expresses emotions, validate their feelings and let them know that it’s okay to feel the way they do. This can help your child feel understood. It can also promote a positive self-image.
3. Be fully present. Engage in conversation and play.
4. Be patient and flexible. Children’s needs can change quickly, so be patient and flexible in your responses. If your child is feeling overwhelmed or upset, give them space for expression. Alternatively, if your child is feeling bored or disengaged, try switching to a more interactive or dynamic activity.
Our purpose at That Makes Sense OT is to help families stop the power struggles around mealtimes and reconnect so children can feel safe, seen and heard. Through kid-friendly video modeling, fun food exploration activities, and easy-to-implement educational tips, caregivers and their children can become harmonious, resilient families held together with love, acceptance, and hope.
What are you struggling with during mealtimes? Complete our quick survey, and let us know.