Food Explorers!

Using aspects of the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding as well as other play-based feeding methods, Food Explorers! will focus on food exploration through sensory play to increase your child’s overall diet. Six specifically chosen foods will be presented per session. The trialed foods will be determined by using a combination of food-chaining techniques and finding commonalities in the participants’ preferred and non-preferred food lists. Participants will become comfortable with new foods at their own pace, using gentle models to increase interaction with each food. The group setting provides a naturalistic opportunity for peer modeling. Seeing friends playing and interacting with foods makes the experience fun and contributes to a successful mealtime!

What is the SOS Approach?
Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding is an evidenced-based practice that was developed by Dr. Kay Toomey over 25 years ago. SOS focuses on increasing a child’s comfort level with food through exploration of each of the food’s properties. Focused on food interaction rather than food consumption, SOS encourages playful, non-stressful interactions with food.

Current Session:
Dates: September 8, 2020 – Thursday, June 3, 2021
Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Ages: 2½ to 6 years old
Cost: This group is billable to insurance. There is a monthly food fee that is not billable to insurance.

Summer Session:
Dates: Monday, June 21 – Thursday, August 19, 2021
Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays
Time: 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Ages: 2½ to 6 years old
Cost: This group is billable to insurance. There is a monthly food fee that is not billable to insurance.

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch is an opportunity for children who are participating in Food Explorers! to consume their preferred foods prior to engaging in food exploration using the SOS approach. This group has a daily fee.

Current Session:
Dates:  September 8, 2020 – Thursday, June 3, 2021
Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Time:  12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Summer Session:
Dates:  Monday, June 21 – Thursday, August 19, 2021
Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Time:  12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Families can choose to have their child attend one, two, three, or four days a week.