What is the practice?
This practice uses mealtimes for talking to infants, encouraging infants to vocalize and gesture to adults, and making mealtimes enjoyable occasions for listening and communicating. The practice works best when you are feeding your child foods he especially likes. The more relaxing and enjoyable the activity, the more it will be a time for talking and communicating.
What does the practice look like?
Imagine a hungry infant seated in a high chair or an infant seat. The parent tells the child, “It’s time to eat!” The child gets excited and begins to open his mouth. The parent says, “Do you want some (child’s favorite food)?” The child gets even more excited. The parent feeds the child while saying, “Yum, yum, good.” The back-and-forth flow of feeding time is filled with lots of talk, vocalizations, gestures, and excitement.
How do you do the practice?
Talking with your child and listening for his responses during mealtimes helps your child become a conversational partner by providing opportunities for him to communicate things like, I want more, I like the food, Talk to me some more, and This is fun in whatever way he is able. The ways in which your child communicates and becomes a conversational partner will depend on the age and interests of your child.
How do you know the practice worked?
- Does your child anticipate being fed by opening his mouth?
- Does your child communicate to you by getting excited or by reaching out for the food or spoon?
- Does your child vocalize to try to get your attention?
- This activity works best when your child is hungry. Be attentive to your infant’s signals and signs that he wants to be fed.
- The activity also works best when you and your child are facing each other in a comfortable position. A child seated in a high chair, an infant seat, or any other seat in which he is comfortable is important. You may need to prop pillows or towels on either side of your child to help him sit upright.
- Talk to your child in short sentences like, “It’s time to eat,” “I have your favorite food,” or “Okay! It’s chow time.” Ask simple questions, such as , “Are you ready to eat?” and “Do you want more (child's favorite food)?" The idea is to get your child excited about mealtimes.
- Pay attention to anything your child does to “tell” you he wants more, wants your attention, etc. Respond to any and all things your child does to get you to continue the mealtime play or “conversation.” This can be gestures, sounds, or movements.
- Make the conversation fun and enjoyable. Don’t be afraid to play feeding games like using a spoon as an airplane!
Take a look at back-and-forth fun at mealtimes
Favorite Food
If 8-month-old Ashley had her way, she would only eat applesauce! She bubbles with excitement whenever she sees her favorite food. She coos, squeals, and yells with delight. Her mother knows that this mealtime will have Ashley “talking up a storm.” Ashley’s mom informs her daughter that “I have your favorite food! Applesauce!” in an excited manner. Ashley immediately responds by getting excited and by vocalizing as loud as she can. Mom puts Ashley in her highchair and says, “Open up. Here it comes!” Without hesitation, Ashley is “biting at the bit” to get her first mouthful. “You like that, don’t you?” her mother says. The entire mealtime turns into a back- and-forth exchange between mother and daughter each playing her part in this happy conversation.
Food and Togetherness
Six-month-old Nathan will eat almost whatever is put in front of him, and he’ll let you know in no uncertain way that he is hungry! His father feeds Nathan while his son is in an infant seat set on the kitchen table. Dad puts some food on a spoon and begins feeding Nathan. He asks “Do you like that? Do you want more?” Nathan “says” yes by shaking his arms and making movements with his lips. Dad responds, “Let’s try some green beans. What do you think?” Next he says, “What about some sweet potatoes? Is that a yes?” Dad continues engaging Nathan in conversation by asking questions, describing what he is doing, and so forth, which involves his son in a your-turn/my-turn exchange throughout the meal. It is clear that Nathan not only likes his food but very much enjoys this father-and-son time together.
I’m Ready for More!
Three-month-old Nicole has had difficulties taking liquids from a bottle ever since she was born. Mom has gotten advice from a professional who has helped her increase Nicole’s fluid intake. Mom noticed a while back that Nicole has started looking at her bottle or at her mom while being fed. Mom began experimenting with feeding time to see if she could make it more fun and enjoyable for her daughter. With Nicole nestled in her arms in a feeding position, Mom announces, “It‘s time for your bottle! Are you ready to eat?” Anytime Nicole looks at the bottle or at Mom, she puts the nipple in her daughter’s mouth. After about four or five sucks, Mom removes the nipple and says, “That was good! Do you want more?” Nicole begins to make sucking movements and Mom again puts the nipple in her daughter’s mouth. This has turned into a back-and-forth, your-turn/my-turn conversation where Nicole has figured out that looking, sucking, and making sounds gets Mom to give her more to drink.
