By Mary Ann Allen, MOTR/L

Occupational Therapist

As on occupational therapist in the early intervention field, parents often ask me, "Why won't my child eat Stage 3 foods?" 

This is a very common concern for parents, since transitioning to new foods is a huge change for kids from both a motor and sensory (texture) standpoint.

There are many differences between being fed Stage 2 and Stage 3 foods. From a sensory perspective, visually the food looks different when presented on the spoon. Stage 3 may have multiple colors and different shapes so each spoonful looks slightly different from the last. Instead of having one smooth texture, your child is now faced with multiple textures. Stage 3 can consist of combinations of squishy, soft, chewy, rough, smooth, thin, thick, and any texture in between (versus the one smooth texture of Stage 2). There can also be different smells associated with Stage 3 as opposed to Stage 2. Since the child is now required to chew, he will also feel different types of movements in his mouth, jaw and tongue. The pressure between the teeth is also different and taste begins to vary more as the food is chewed.

Transitioning from Stage 2 to Stage 3 can also present new motor challenges for a child. Whereas Stage 2 only requires a child to move foods backwards with the tongue for swallowing, Stage 3 requires the ability to manage several different textures within the mouth at one time. Some of these textures can be easily swallowed, some require minimal movement such as being moved to the side of the mouth with the tongue so the food can be mashed between the teeth. Other textures may require more sophisticated movements of the tongue and jaw. A child will need to move food from one side of the mouth to the other and use his jaw in a rotary movement to tear the food into smaller pieces for swallowing. In a nutshell, a child is required to be able to do a combination of several different movements to manage multiple textures of food when he eats Stage 3 food.

CLICK HERE to continue reading Mary Ann's suggestions on how to help your child more easily transition from Stage 2 to Stage 3 foods.  

Idea from Ellen Harter Wall Family Fun Magazine 

Keep your kids cool with this fun, healthy, summer food related craft.  

You will need:

• Assorted fresh fruits or berries
• Ice cube tray
• Seltzer water/sparkling water  
• Clear plastic cups & straws 

Cut up strawberries, peaches, honeydew, cantaloupe, kiwi & pineapple into small pieces for your kids or simply use blueberries, raspberries & blackberries. Let you kids drop a few different colored pieces of fruit into each ice cube tray compartment.

Fill compartments with seltzer water and freeze.   

Drop several fruity ice cubes into your child's cup & watch the fun begin. Be sure to use a clear cup so your child can see the colorful ice cubes!