Objective

By the end of this lesson, Tempest will be able to feed herself with proficiency, demonstrating her ability to use utensils and manage her food independently.

Materials and Prep

• Small plates for serving food
• Spoons and forks (child-sized if possible)
• Soft foods that are easy to scoop (like mashed potatoes, yogurt, or applesauce)
• Wipes or a damp cloth for clean-up
• A comfortable chair or booster seat for sitting

Before the lesson, ensure that the eating area is clean and free from distractions. Choose foods that Tempest enjoys and that are easy to handle.

Activities

• Food Exploration:

  Let Tempest touch and explore the different foods before eating. Encourage her to feel the texture and smell the food. This can make her more excited to eat!

• Self-Serving:

  Place small amounts of food on her plate and encourage her to use her spoon or fork to serve herself. Celebrate her efforts, no matter how messy!

• Fun Feeding Game:

  Turn feeding into a game! Pretend the spoon is a train, and Tempest can make the train go to her mouth. This makes eating fun and engaging!

• Clean-Up Time:

  After the meal, involve Tempest in the clean-up process. Teach her to use a damp cloth to wipe her hands and the table. Make it a fun activity by singing a clean-up song!

Talking Points

• "Look at this yummy food! Can you feel how soft it is?"
• "Wow, you did it! You served yourself! Great job!"
• "Choo-choo! Here comes the train to your mouth! Open wide!"
• "Time to clean up! Let’s make this table sparkle!"