Ways to Help with Scooping

Activities to help develop develop better scooping of foods:

Scooping requires finite movements of the wrist called ulnar and radial deviation. There are many toys, games, and activities that can be done during play, the time when children are most willing to learn, and can help facilitate the wrist movements needed to scoop foods.

• Twist and turn rattles which help the wrist deviate to turn the handles.

• Steering wheels and riding toys with wheels

• Scooping in sand, water, bathtub, rice, beans, dirt and in playtime fun.

• Using spoons, small cups, small spice bottles, cut in half a 12 oz soda bottle, shovels, rakes, and pour and scoop!

• During toothbrushing most children like to hold the toothbrush, I recommend using a Spin Brush that vibrates and letting the child dip the brush into water in a cup or under the faucet and let them dip the brush into a small saucer or cup with toothpaste in it. This is a great time to work on scooping and bringing to mouth at least 2 times a day!

• Making a bird feeder from and upside down coke bottle and letting them scoop up the bird feed and pour feed into the top hole, fill up daily.

• Blowing bubbles and letting them put the handle in and bring to mouth! Use non-spill containers.

• When actually practicing scooping keep in mind these tips: let them play with the spoon, bang it on the tray, and make sure they are in a well supported upright seated position with good stability.

• Start with really exciting and new spoonable foods such as oatmeal with bright fruit loops in it, pudding, refried beans, mashed potatoes with other vegetable mixed in for color like peas, applesauce, ground beef and use fun washable toys to scoop into at meals.

• Pick a spoon and bowl that are easy to use: each child is different and their needs are different. I like spoons with a short, wide, round, textured, and sturdy handle such as "Good Grips".

• The closer their hand is to the bowl, the easier it will be. A special strap may be needed if the child continually drops the spoon, or turning the spoon inward at a 90 degree angle, ask your OT or Feeding Therapist for help.

• Use a high sided plate or bowl with a tall lip around the top and stabilize the bottom of the bowl or plate with non skid material.

• Help exaggerate the elbow movement from the tray held at shoulder level to compensate for poor wrist deviation, until the wrist movement is learned.

• Be patient and don't get frustrated, this is a skill that can be worked on every meal, but keep it fun and exciting. If you don't feel like working on it, the child won't either; wait for an opportunity when you are both ready to learn! Switch around with parents, grandparents, therapists, teachers, etc. BUT use consistent techniques, consistent utensils, and the same type of cues during initial learning!

• Put down a washable table cloth cover under their high chair if they get real messy.  The mess is part of the fun though, many families like to eat outdoors when the weather is nice so they can "hose down" the mess. 

Practice, practice, practice!!!! Have fun!

Remember: play is a child's best teacher, so make sure they are using games, toys, and fun activities that include scooping!

Heidi L. Clopton, OTR/L

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