Reducing mealtime stress is the central goal of this TalkTools self study course, presented by Dagmar Jurisova, M.A., and built for parents and the clinicians who support them. Mealtimes can become a daily source of tension for children and caregivers alike, straining the family dynamic and making every meal feel like a battle. Clinicians can use this course as a resource to share directly with the families on their caseload who need a gentler, more sustainable starting point. This course helps families understand practical ways to lower mealtime pressure, introduce new foods without forcing the issue, and support a child through small, achievable steps rather than sweeping changes. Participants will learn sensory-based strategies and simple oral tools that can be used at home to create a calmer, more positive feeding experience for everyone at the table. The course explains why mealtimes become stressful in the first place, then walks through concrete ways to reduce pressure and tension during meals, explore new foods without forcing, and use gradual exposure so that progress feels manageable rather than overwhelming. Clinicians will also learn how to guide caregivers in applying simple, sensory-based tools safely at home between therapy sessions. By focusing on reducing mealtime stress rather than demanding immediate compliance, this course gives families a realistic, sustainable path toward more relaxed and successful meals together, one small step at a time.
