ezpz interview with Marsha Dunn Klein

Reprinted with permission from Dawn Winkleman, M.S., CCC-SLP, EZPZ

Thank you Dawn!

 

To celebrate Occupational Therapy Month, I had the honor of interviewing Marsha Dunn Klein, M.ED., OTR/L, who is an authority in the field of feeding therapy and co-author of my favorite feeding therapy book Pre-Feeding Skills. (You can order the book on Marsha’s website under the title: ‘Professional Favorite Products’ or here in the shop).

 

I interviewed Marsha on our favorite video platform, blab.im (https://blab.im/) with the show title Using ezpz products: Bites, Crumbs, Tastes & Textures with Marsha Dunn Klein. It was such an informative show for both parents and professionals! Marsha discussed a lot of her techniques for feeding kids with both permission and love. Here are a few highlights, but this is a must see video for offering food to children in a way that they can trust you and find: Enjoyment, Confidence and Internal Motivation.

 

• Around the bowl technique using our Happy Bowl or Snack Mat: Use a food the child knows and loves on one side of the bowl. On the other side of the bowl put a new texture, flavor or crumbs to slowly introduce it. Watch for signs of sensory permission from the child (positive and negative tilts).    
• Bite size discretion technique using the Micro Mat: Teaching bite size discretion can help the most hesitant eater try a ‘mouse bite’ (tiny bite) of new food, while assisting children who overstuff using ‘elephant bites’ (big bites) to choose a more appropriate size bite.    
• Dips and dippers technique using our Happy Mat: Use a dipper such as solid food (veggies, crackers, apple slices), straws, coffee stirrers, etc. to dab into dips! A dipper is an early utensil, which allows the child to practice learning how to eat! It also allows the child to practice adapting their mouth into different shapes to eventually try more challenging foods and tastes.    
• Crumbling technique using the Play Mat: Crumbs can be tried separately, put in a puree, mixed with different crumbs, presented on the corners of the mat and presented on, under or on the side of a spoon. The opportunities are endless!   

If you missed our live show, that’s okay, you can check out our replay here. If you want more of Marsha’s amazing information and teaching you can attend one of her parent or professional seminars in Arizona and across the US here: http://mealtimeconnections.com/events/.

 

Tell us what tip you loved most from this blab using the hashtags #ezpzfun #OTMonth #mealtimeconnections. 

Happy Feeding,

Dawn Winkelmann, M.S, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist & Feeding Specialist for ezpz