Tiny Tastes, Big Talk: How Speech and Picky Eating are Connected!

23 January 2025

Hey Parents! Ever wondered if your little one's picky eating and their babbling are somehow connected? Well, buckle up, because they might just be! It turns out, the way our kiddos eat can totally affect their speech and vice versa. Who knew?

Recently, I stumbled upon some seriously cool insights from Melanie Potock, a speech-language pathologist and pediatric feeding expert (who also happens to be a mom of a former picky eater – talk about experience!). She's got some amazing tips to help us introduce new foods and get our kids on the path to healthy eating habits that can support their language skills too.

The '3 Es' of Eating Fun

Melanie talks about the "3 Es of Eating": Expose, Explore, and Expand. It's like a fun little adventure for your taste buds!

  • Expose: This isn't about forcing broccoli down their throats. Think more along the lines of fun trips to the grocery store, creating a mini veggie garden, or letting them help you in the kitchen. It's all about making food a fun and normal part of life.
  • Explore: Now we get a little adventurous! Maybe they hold a piece of food, or play with it, or maybe even take a tiny nibble. The idea is to push the comfort zone gently and have fun with it. Don't rush it!
  • Expand: Once the first two steps are mastered, your kids may be more open to trying new foods. Most parents skip right to expand, but you need to get the groundwork done first.

Snack Time SOS!

Are snacks a constant battle in your house? Melanie says that kids need to feel real hunger, not just boredom. It’s a key part of understanding their bodies. Too many snacks or too much food too often, can stop your kids developing their natural feelings of hunger.

Babies and Purees: The Scoop

Did you know purees aren't evil? They can be great for introducing flavors and textures to your little ones. But, there's a catch! Melanie suggests that it may be a longer time than we first thought before you should introduce more solid foods. Also, those convenient pouches? They might be hindering your child's motor skills. Drinking from a straw is where it is at!

One Phrase to Avoid

There's one phrase you should never use when introducing new foods. You will have to read this article carefully to find out what it is ;). What is essential is getting your kids involved in the process. From the shopping and growing, to the cooking and eating - get them to take part!

Getting everyone involved!

Speaking of which, the whole family should get involved! Even the little ones can learn some basic skills in the kitchen (even with butter knives!). If your kids have some special needs there is always a way to involve them, it just takes a little thought and planning.

Want to make cooking and mealtimes more fun and less stressful? Check out the KoalaCook App – it's packed with creative ideas and delicious recipes to get your kids excited about healthy eating! It's time to make your family's healthy food adventure fun!

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