Preventing Picky Eating: A Proactive Feeding Approach for Infants and Toddlers

Course overview

This 2-hour, view-on-demand, recorded webinar explores the sensory-motor, oral-motor, and environmental factors influencing early feeding experiences. Designed for pediatric occupational therapists and early intervention providers, it develops foundational knowledge of feeding development and strategies to prevent picky eating. Participants learn evidence-based approaches to promote positive feeding interactions, recognize early signs of feeding challenges, and implement proactive strategies to support infants and toddlers in developing a well-rounded diet. Through case studies, hands-on strategies, and caregiver education techniques, therapists gain the confidence to address feeding concerns before they escalate into restrictive eating behaviors. At the end of this course, you will be able to (1) identify typical feeding development milestones from birth to three years and how they relate to oral-motor and sensory integration, (2) list proactive strategies to support successful transitions through feeding stages, including the introduction of textures and self-feeding, (3) identify caregiver coaching techniques to foster positive mealtime interactions and reduce mealtime stress, (4) list key environmental modifications that promote feeding success in infants and toddlers, and (5) state the role of postural stability in feeding development and its connection to oral-motor skill progression. This distance-learning, independent format is offered at 0.2 CEUs, Introductory Level, OT Service Delivery, and targeted to OTs, COTAs, SLPs, and other pediatric professionals. The course instructor, McKenzie Hoffman, MA, CCC-SLP, has been working as a therapist with a passion for feeding since 2020. She began her career at a pediatric outpatient clinic, where she started a feeding program and built a feeding team. Later, she moved to an outpatient setting in a children's hospital providing NICU follow-up services for babies and their families. Currently, she works in an inpatient setting at the same hospital working with families in the NICU and with pediatric inpatients. McKenzie strongly believes in collaboration, working alongside PTs and OTs using an early intervention team approach to help resolve feeding issues. For more information on our recorded courses, visit our website: https://www.sensationalbrain.com/product-category/ceu/on-demand-webinars. To stay abreast of our latest live and view-on-demand course offerings, sales, and FREEBIES, consider subscribing to our newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of our home page. Send questions to celeste@sensationalbrain.com.