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
Susan B. Nachimson says
Hey Dawn!
Thanks for this introduction to the ezpz mats! Great idea.
And, of course, Marsha Dunn Klien….
I just learned that the feeding studies that Suzanne Evans Morris, partner for Feeding Skills, is still the only research in that area….you younger folks need to add more….for us veterans!
Nice seeing you….
Hugs, always,
Susan
Val Gent says
EZPZ mats have finally arrived in Australia and I’m a proud new owner! This was a great video to watch and I thank you for having it on replay. I can’t wait to take my new mats into clinic this week, I just know it’s going to help my therapy sessions. Marsha Klein Dunn, you are just amazing, I was just thrilled to hear you speak (as opposed to reading your book Pre-feeding skills from cover to cover).
Thanks again, Val from Let’s Eat! Paediatric Speech Pathology, Newcastle, NSW Australia. Ps I secretly want the tiny mini mat, how cute were they!!