Eating and drinking is important for independence, socialising and health.

It requires a complex range of skills that develop over time.

If you have concerns about the safety of your child’s eating/swallow please discuss this with your GP or speech and language therapist.

How you can you help

Click on the green headings below for more information at each step.

As your child progresses and the tasks get easier slowly reduce the amount of assistance.

Children with emerging skills may be eating finger foods and starting to use a spoon independently. They may be starting to drink out of a lidded beaker.

It can help if your child has a bib or clothing they can get messy in.
Some foods such as thicker yoghurt, mashed potato or porridge is an easy choice that stick to the spoon
Give lots of opportunities to try new foods of different textures and flavours, ideally this would be the same food as the rest of the family.
Be positive about trying new foods even if they don’t like them
Use thicker cutlery as this is easier to hold (this could be standard toddler cutlery or specialist for older children)
Check the plate/bowl isn’t sliding around. A non slip surface or mat may be useful.
If scooping is difficult use a bowl/plate with higher sides (or attach a plate guard for older children)
A closed top cup or beaker is usually a good place to start. Sometimes this requires you to try a few before finding the right one.
Looking in a mirror whilst eatingcan help some children with hand/mouth co-ordination.

After children have mastered the basics of self-feeding they start to develop their skills using cutlery and drinking from a cup.

Practice cutlery skills in play when the child isn’t hungry for example baking, play-doh, mud/sand play.
If holding cutlery is difficult continue with thicker cutlery or try easy grip cutlery.
Read story books about eating and food.
Play tea party games.
Sing songs about eating/dinner/foods.

When children are confident using spoons and forks they will start cutting soft foods with a knife and fork. This will progress to cutting any food.

When learning to cut initially only expect the child to cut soft foods, gradually increase the difficulty and quantity
Sharper knifes are easier to cut (If you feel this is safe)
Practice skills when the child isn’t hungry for example baking, play-doh or theraputty
Check the plate/bowl isn’t sliding around. A non slip surface or mat may be useful. Practice pouring drinks initially when it doesn’t matter if they spill.

When children are confident with eating and drinking independently they may want to start preparing and serving food and drink for others.

Gradually introduce different skills for cooking such as weighing, measuring, pouring, mashing.
Gradually introduce microwave, oven and hob safety
Encourage the planning of meals.

Young People with additional needs

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Meal times #TopTips

Sitting at a table
- Is your child sitting comfortably? If not they may need to be sat at the correct height table with their feet resting flat. A small block or box can be placed under their feet or some children’s chairs are adjustable for higher tables.
Picky eaters
- Your child may find the sights and smells of food difficult to cope with.
- It is important to recognise their difficulty and talk with your child about what they would need to feel more comfortable in different situations.
- Involve your child in making food as much as possible. Don’t forget baking.
- Some children like soft food, some crispy or crunchy and some don’t like a mixture of the two.
- Drinking between foods can stop different flavours and textures mixing in the mouth.
- If required, separate out different foods on the plate, specialist sectioned plates are available.
- Some children are put off food by how it looks, its temperature and its smell.
- Give your child options and choices without forcing them to try new foods.
- Some children will be more adventurous if they see others enjoying food, encourage them to eat with friends and family if they are ready.
- Take the child shopping and allow them to choose foods.

How we can help

We hope this information will provide you with ideas to break each area of the activity into achievable steps.

If you require further help, you can phone us on our ADVICE LINE or ask your child's school, nursery or health professional to complete a referral form and send it to us.

For professionals: Referral forms can be found on the 'contact us' page