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Music Therapy - Feeding Support - Myofunctional Therapy

Music- Based Feeding Support

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A space where therapy is shaped around your child's

Needs
Strength
Readiness
Way of Learning

Music-based feeding support combines evidence-based feeding approaches with music therapy to help children build comfort and confidence around food at their own pace.


Eating is not just about getting food into the mouth. For some children, food can feel overwhelming because of sensory sensitivities, anxiety, previous experiences, limited exposure, or difficulty with the skills needed for eating.

Eating is a complex skill. It involves sensory processing, regulation, attention, oral-motor skills, learning, and emotional experiences around food.

Some children may need extra support when eating feels difficult, overwhelming or unfamiliar.
 

You may notice:

  • A very limited range of accepted foods

  • Strong refusal of new or unfamiliar foods

  • Difficulty moving beyond certain textures or consistencies

  • Gagging or strong reactions to certain foods

  • Difficulty chewing or managing food in the mouth

  • Difficulty biting, moving food from side to side or clearing food from the mouth

  • Very long or stressful mealtimes

  • Avoidance of eating or distress around meals

  • Difficulty sitting, attending or staying regulated during meals

  • Reliance on very specific brands, shapes, colours or ways food is prepared

  • Difficulty progressing from purees or soft foods to more complex textures

  • Previous difficult or stressful experiences with eating
     

Sometimes, a child can eat certain foods but still has difficulty with the skills needed to manage a wider range of foods.
 

Feeding support looks beyond “What will my child eat?” to understand why eating may be difficult and what skills or experiences may help them move forward.

Sessions are child-led and adapted to each child's needs and readiness. Through music, movement, sensory play, food exploration and oral-motor activities, children are supported to explore food and develop eating skills at their own pace.
 

There is no pressure to eat a certain amount.
 

What might my child work on?
 

Depending on your child's needs, sessions may focus on:

  • Exploring new foods and expanding food variety

  • Becoming comfortable with different textures

  • Lip closure, tongue movement and jaw coordination

  • Biting, chewing and moving food around the mouth

  • Oral awareness and readiness for eating

  • Regulation, attention and participation at mealtimes

  • Building confidence and positive experiences with food

Music is more than entertainment or distraction. It can make learning more engaging while supporting the skills involved in eating.
 

Music may help to:

  • Regulate: Use rhythm and predictable patterns to support readiness.

  • Build attention: Encourage focus and participation.

  • Support motor learning: Organise movement, timing and repetition.

  • Develop memory: Use familiar songs to support sequencing and routines.

  • Encourage interaction: Promote communication, turn-taking and shared attention.

  • Create positive food experiences: Make food exploration more playful and predictable.
     

Music is used intentionally according to each child's needs, whether to support regulation before eating, encourage chewing practice or make exploring unfamiliar foods more comfortable.

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