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MAKING FOOD FUN, NOT SCARY

Many students here at Anson St have sensory issues – whether this be to sight, sound, touch, smell or taste. These sensory issues are often really overwhelming for a child and can stem from their disability or by a previous negative experience. Often accompanying these sensory issues is a limited diet.

A way I have been addressing this with students is by increasing their food exposure gradually. I have been doing this through food play (yes – quite literally playing with food), food chaining/bridging and using laminated cut-outs to explore and learn more about different foods. However, I find if the food exposure is not continued at home, progress can be very slow.

I have provided below a 12-step program (which I also use at the school) for you to try with your child at home using food play. 

Key things to remember are that the food play should be FUN, NON-COERCIVE and steps should be taken according to your child’s PACE (i.e. meet them at the level they are at). Some ideas you could do for food play include: using food to make an animal (search ‘kids food art’ on Google), making a face on bread using different foods, cutting up and throwing or spitting food into a target bowl, finger painting etc. Remember to have fun with your child too!

Any questions on how to implement this at home or issues you have come across, please feel free to email me at nadia.fathinia1@det.nsw.edu.au