In my search for ways to make eating easier for my child with disabilities, I’ve found several good ideas that work well. I have used these ideas for ALL my child care children. Tip 1 - Put the sponge part of a hair curler around the silverware handles. This builds up the handle of the utensil to make gripping it easier. They can be removed and washed, and are cheap to replace as needed. Foam pipe insulation also works if you look for the right size. Tip 2 - Cut drawer liner (the machine-washable sponge/netting kind) into squares to put on highchairs, boosters, chairs or benches. The material provides a sense of security and aids in balance and good posture, so the child can focus on eating. It’s hard to wiggle around on, so it also helps with sitting still. Place them under a plate or bowl, too, to keep them from sliding around. Tip 3 - If you use children’s furniture and children’s feet still dangle when seated, use contact paper-covered milk cartons to build up a platform under their feet. Feet are a big part of balance, and if their feet touch something solid it helps with seating. I insert one milk carton into another to make it stronger and last longer. Tip 4 - If you use straws for drinking, cut them in half and insert one section in the cup. Then twist a rubber band into a figure eight. Put one loop around the straw, and slide it down even with the rim of the cup. Put the other loop around the cup, and tape it to secure it. This helps keep the straw in one place, rather then moving around as the child tries to use it. Tip 5 - When starting to use an open cup for drinking with a child, try the Tupperware midgets. They are the perfect size for little ones. Or buy cheap tumblers, and cut out a notch on one side for their mouth and nose, so their nose won’t get covered up. The sides of their mouths against the open cup help keep liquids going where they should. This lets the child learn how far they should tip the cup to get a drink, and avoids spilling. Tip 6 - If you are handy with a sewing machine, fold a large, brightly-colored handkerchief in half, diagonally. Pin, then sew the wide V of the handkerchief onto one end of a hand towel, leaving the ends of the handkerchief loose for tieing around the child’s neck. Older children usually don’t like bibs, but with these, it’s a cowboy/cowgirls acessory, and they like them. You can decorate them with western beads knotted onto the ties. Tip 7 - Sometimes regular spoons, even those designed for little ones, are too deep. When introducing silverware, try using the play cook-set spoons first. They are smaller, and aren’t as deep. It helps the children learn how to use their mouths to remove the food from the spoon. Sounds silly to have to teach that, but sometimes you do. I hope these tips can help someone out there. If you have any, I’d love to hear them! You can e-mail TikeTown@aol.com.
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Table Tips For Tippy Tots