Petit Pots

💕Pioneering child psychologist Jean Piaget once said, “Play is the answer to how anything new comes about,” and this is true for your child’s discovery of new words and new foods. It’s a vital component of cognitive development.

💕This is especially true for toddlers. When a two-year-old has begun to engage in pretend play, you’ll notice it throughout the day and not just when pretending with stuffed animals, dolls or other toys. When in the kitchen, the wooden spoon might suddenly transform into a telephone as your toddler puts it up to his ear and pretends to call Grandma to tell her what you’re baking together. At mealtimes, penne pasta becomes a trumpet as they “toot-toot” through the tube of pasta throughout dinner!

😊Unless it’s becoming too much of a distraction and you feel the need to redirect, try to embrace these playful moments. Your toddler is practicing problem solving, expressing their feelings via this pretend play, and learning about symbols.

✨BONUS!✨Early symbolic play is the foundation for understanding numbers and letters and, ultimately, learning to read.

🤔Use your own imagination to model all the possibilities: Green beans might transform into two walrus tusks emerging from under your top lip, or a bread stick might become a fairy wand. 🪄🧚‍♀️🪄When we respond to our children’s playful communication, that connection is priceless and always memorable.🥰

📚Source: Responsive Feeding: The Baby-First Guide to Stress-Free Weaning, Healthy Eating & Mealtime
Bonding by Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP page 144
https://mymunchbug.com/books/

French toast on the menu today

This week's creation was cocobutternut. It was a hit with some and a miss for others but the most important thing was the willingness to try butternut! I'd say that's a succes!