Before the Bite: Why We Play With Food First

Getting silly with food isn't bad manners — it's how kids learn to feel safe enough to eat it.

If you've ever watched a feeding therapy session and thought, "Wait… are they just smashing crackers?" — yes. Yes, they are. And it's completely intentional.

One of the most common mistakes well-meaning caregivers make is putting a new food on a child's plate and expecting them to eat it. For many kids — especially those with sensory sensitivities or feeding challenges — that's a little like asking someone to jump into a pool before they've ever seen water. The food has to become familiar before it can become edible.