#328 - Listener Q&A: Picky Eating, Success with School Line-up, and Fatigue During Sports

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Listener Q&A: Picky Eating, Success with School Line-up, and Fatigue During Sports

We are answering your questions in today’s podcast episode!

Question 1: How to help with picky eating, specifically with fruits and vegetables.

Question 2: How to help a toddler with daycare/preschool line up when it’s time to come back inside after playing outside.

Question 3: Understanding if soccer is the ‘just-right’ sport for a child with SPD, Autism, and low muscle tone. 

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form ->https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 

Links

All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

Feeding and Meal Prep

Making Kids Nutrition Easy

Muscle Tone vs. Muscle Strength

Buddy Timer (Amazon) 

Q&A: Picky Eating, Success With School Line-up, And Fatigue During Sports

This Q&A session delves into common parenting and therapeutic challenges, including picky eating, routine adherence in preschool, and supporting a child’s participation in sports. Below, we break down each listener’s question and the actionable strategies offered for addressing these concerns:

Picky Eating in a Four-Year-Old Child

Challenge

The child only eats apples, oranges, and cucumbers, with a strong sensitivity to the smell and texture of other fruits and vegetables.

Strategies

• Family Goals: Identify the family's goals regarding the child’s diet and set clear expectations for expanding food choices.
• Play with Foods: Use play to introduce less preferred fruits and vegetables. For instance, incorporate unpeeled cucumbers into fun activities to gradually build tolerance.
• Involve the Child in Food Preparation: To foster a sense of involvement and comfort, include the child in grocery shopping, peeling, and cutting foods.
• Gradual Exposure: Encourage the child to touch, handle, and play with new foods before expecting them to eat them.
• Routine and Environment: Evaluate and adjust mealtime routines. Use structured family meals and visual timers to create a positive, predictable dining experience.

Success With Cleaning Up And Lining Up In A Preschool Setting

Challenge

A preschooler runs away during clean-up and line-up time, making transitions challenging for the teachers.

Strategies

• Pre-Transition Preparation: Start engaging the child a few minutes before clean-up time with a structured activity, such as a simple obstacle course or a visual routine.
• Structured Movement Activities: To make clean-up more engaging, incorporate structured movement, like hopping to pick up a toy and placing it in a bucket.
• Animal Walks: Let the child choose an animal to imitate while cleaning up, making it fun and engaging for the whole class.
• Behavioral Expectations: Use visual schedules and cues to set clear expectations for clean-up routines before starting outdoor play.
• Teacher Response: Avoid chasing or giving excessive attention to avoidant behavior. Redirect the child using playful, non-confrontational methods.

Supporting A Four-Year-Old With Sensory Processing Disorder And Autism During Soccer

Challenge

The child, who has sensory processing disorder and autism, frequently lays down during games and says, "I'm tired," despite being highly motivated to play.

Strategies

• Determine the Root Cause: Understand whether “I’m tired” signals sensory overload, physical fatigue, or a need for an emotional break.
• Sensory Breaks: Develop a sensory break plan that includes noise-canceling headphones, deep squeezes, and crunchy snacks to help the child reset and recharge.
• Compression Shirt: Wearing a compression shirt under the uniform can offer additional sensory support and stability during physical activity.
• Visual Timers: Wearable visual timers (like Buddy Timers) can help the child self-regulate and transition back into the game independently.
• Sensory Break Bag: Create a “Soccer Break Bag” filled with sensory tools (e.g., a water bottle, fidget toys, or weighted items) that the child can choose from to meet their unique needs.
• Address Physical Fatigue: If true physical fatigue is suspected, consult with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying conditions such as low muscle tone or mitochondrial issues.

Takeaways

Addressing challenges like picky eating, routine adherence, and sensory fatigue in children requires a patient, tailored, and holistic approach. By understanding each child’s unique needs and incorporating engaging, playful strategies, parents and educators can promote positive experiences and build confidence in everyday situations.

Whether expanding a picky eater’s palate, helping a child navigate transitions, or supporting sensory needs during sports, the key is approaching each scenario with empathy, creativity, and a focus on progress over perfection. Remember, small, consistent efforts can lead to significant breakthroughs over time. 

BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.

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This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.