Courses – Melanie Potock

ARFID, Autism and Anxiety Course

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Ethics and Social Media Course

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Picky Eating in the Preschool Classroom

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Pediatric Nutrition for Parents & Professionals

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Pediatric Feeding Disorders and Anxiety Course

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Bye-Bye Bottles Course

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mymunchbug_melaniepotock

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Jun 7

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🍎 Most kids don’t need apples cut up after the age of 3 ⚠️BUT... they need to learn to use their to get the safest JUST RIGHT BITE.
If your child tends to take giant bites out of apples, pears, or other firm round fruits, OR they just can’t figure out how to bite into ROUND surfaces - this simple feeding therapy trick can make a big difference.

✨ Create a flat edge, then notch to appropriate size bites before offering the fruit. That tiny change gives your child a clear starting point and helps them learn how much food to bite off at one time.

This was my original idea over 25 years ago and I continue to use it to this day because:
🍏 Encourages safer biting skills
🍏 Helps children learn bite-size awareness
🍏 Builds confidence with harder fruits
🍏 Supports independent eating

I still use this trick all the time in feeding therapy with children ages 3+ who are still learning how to manage larger, firmer foods. Feeding is a developmental process. Sometimes the smallest adjustments lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

Want MORE PRACTIAL TIPS like this one?
✨ Comment CLEAN and I’ll send you a 40% discount code for my most popular course, The Feeding Development Course, packed with practical tips like this one to help you raise an adventurous eater. (Code exp 6/13/26 so don’t wait!)

🥰 Melanie
Thank you for following me for weekly feeding guidance grounded in 25+ years helping parents & therapists help kids find joy in food.
apple safety / feeding therapy / toddler feeding / preschool feeding / picky eaters / oral motor skills / self feeding / feeding development / adventurous eaters / parenting tips ...

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Jun 6

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🍉❄️ Want a fun summer snack that actually helps build eating skills?
This viral watermelon ice isn’t just fun to eat. As a feeding therapist, I see several reasons it can help children become more adventurous eaters.

🍉 1. It introduces a new sensory experience.
Frozen grated watermelon is more than cold. It’s icy! Children benefit from experiencing a variety of safe textures, flavors, and temperatures. Watermelon ice melts quickly in the mouth, making it a low-pressure way to explore something new.

🥄 2. It’s great practice for spoon skills.
As the watermelon melts, children learn to manage both the ice shavings and the liquid in the bowl. That takes coordination! I love activities like this because they help build skills that transfer to foods like soups, broths, and other spoonable foods.

👉🏼 Coach Mel Tip: Start with just a small amount in the bowl so the liquid barely covers the spoon. This reduces sticky spills and helps children feel successful. A suction bowl can help too!

🧤 3. Older kids can help make it.
The more children participate in food preparation, the more interested they often become in trying foods. Older children can practice kitchen skills by wearing a protective glove and safely grating frozen watermelon into individual bowls.

After helping more than 10,000 children learn to enjoy food, I can tell you that playful food experiences matter.
🗣️ Comment TOOLS and I’ll send you my favorite kitchen tools for kids, including child-sized safety gloves, toddler knives, crinkle cutters, and more! I LOVE a crinkle cutter for serving watermelon – makes each slippery piece so much easier to hold!

🥰 Melanie
Thank you for following me for weekly feeding guidance grounded in 25+ years helping parents & therapists help kids find joy in food.
Watermelon ice / summer snacks / toddler feeding / picky eater tips / feeding therapy / spoon skills / sensory food play / kitchen skills for kids / adventurous eaters / responsive feeding ...

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mymunchbug_melaniepotock

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Jun 6

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If you enjoyed watching me drop things, startle babies, and question my life choices while making content... do me a favor. 💕

When friends leave kind comments, drop a ❤️, or share a post when something resonates with you…well…Your comments and hearts genuinely keep me motivated to keep showing up, creating, and sharing feeding tips for families.

Your ❤️ and comments tell that darn algorithm to pay attention to me - and that helps more families find trusted feeding guidance... and reminds me that all the bloopers are worth it. 😅

XOXO ❤️Melanie

Content creator bloopers / behind the scenes / pediatric feeding therapist / speech pathologist / feeding therapist / toddler feeding / picky eating help / parent support / mealtime tips / child development / Coach Mel / feeding expert ...

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Melanie Potock

ARFID, Autism and Anxiety Course

Ethics and Social Media Course

Picky Eating in the Preschool Classroom

The Pacifier Course

The Picky Eater Course

Feeding Development Course

Pediatric Nutrition for Parents & Professionals

Pediatric Feeding Disorders and Anxiety Course

Bye-Bye Bottles Course