This month Paige, Cathy and Jenny discuss mealtime strategies for young children with blindness and low vision. Paige and Cathy consider “aha” moments from their participation in the MRVI (Mealtime Routines for Visual Impairment) research project. After reflecting on how vision is used incidentally in learning to eat, the group discusses practical strategies such as “eating cheek to cheek” to demonstrate chewing, providing multiple accessible spoons and the importance of good lighting and positioning for utensil use. They also address how children who are G-tube fed can still meaningfully participate in mealtime routines.

Relevant Links for the episode:

Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/division-of-responsibility/

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a framework designed to help your child master essential life skills like spatial awareness, self-advocacy, and daily independence. To see how these nine areas come to life for children who are blind and have low vision, check out VIPS's video resource, Every Child Can! and this comprehensive overview from the Perkins School for the Blind.

If you want a copy of the MRVI Idea Sheets to use as a TVI and Family team, email us at feelingthislife@vips.org. We will share them as soon as we can.

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