Feeding with Your Fingers: A Sensory Experience 

At The Star Center Foundation, we encourage families to explore different feeding techniques  that promote independence, sensory development, and oral motor skills. One simple yet powerful  approach is feeding with your fingers. 

Why is this important? 

• Encourages sensory exploration 

• Helps with oral motor skill development 

• Supports self-feeding and independence 

• Reduces feeding aversion by allowing a more natural approach to textures 

Using clean fingers, caregivers can introduce different food textures to children in a non intimidating way. Try letting your child touch, squish, and explore foods before guiding a small  amount to their lips. This helps desensitize the mouth and fosters curiosity about new foods! 

Fun with a Melon Baller: Creative Bite-Sized Foods! 

A melon baller isn’t just for fruit—it’s a fantastic tool for creating fun, manageable bites that  encourage self-feeding and sensory exploration. Try these easy recipes that make eating playful  and nutritious!

1. Yogurt Melon Bites 

• Use a melon baller to scoop out small portions of cantaloupe or honeydew. • Dip the melon balls in Greek yogurt and freeze them for a refreshing snack. 

2. Mashed Potato Pops 

• Make mashed potatoes and let them cool slightly. 

• Use a melon baller to shape bite-sized portions. 

• Roll in finely crushed crackers for a fun, easy-to-hold texture. 

3. Mini Meatball Bites 

• Mix ground turkey or beef with seasoning and breadcrumbs. 

• Use the melon baller to form uniform meatballs. 

• Bake or sauté for a perfect protein-packed finger food. 

4. Peanut Butter Banana Bites 

• Use the melon baller to scoop small banana rounds. 

• Spread a tiny amount of peanut butter between two rounds for a mini banana sandwich.

5. Cheese & Avocado Bites 

• Use the melon baller to scoop out soft cheese or avocado. 

• Roll in finely chopped nuts or breadcrumbs for a fun texture! 

By incorporating these methods into mealtime, we help create positive, engaging experiences  around food. Whether using fingers for exploration or a melon baller for fun, small changes can  make a big impact on feeding success!