Welcome to
Play with Food
Compassionate Fussy Eating Support from
Responsive Feeding Therapist, Simone Emery

About Simone
As a mum of 2, with over 6 years experience facilitating feeding therapy, I am excited to welcome you here. You are in the right place for non-judgmental support for feeding fussy kids. I have recipes, articles, videos, programs and consultation support bundles that will level up your mealtimes. Have a look around and let’s keep in contact. I really want you to feel confident in supporting your child’s relationship with food. Welcome!
Lets get you started

I have a baby or toddler

I have a preschooler

I have a primary schooler
ONLINE OR HOME VISIT CONSULTATIONS
Fussy Eating Assistance
I have been running telehealth and home based feeding therapy sessions since 2016. I know that it takes a mix of engaging activities, parent support and a special skill to build rapport and connect with your child. Learning about food in your child’s home environment is very beneficial.
Popular Recipes
Testimonials
Simone came along to our community group to present a talk on fussy eating. This very interesting talk targeted the specific concerns of the parents… The impact of her talk was that parents felt they now have a way of moving forward. I highly recommend Simone’s services and resources.
All that time wasted on Google looking for ways to handle a fussy eater. I learnt so much from that one hour consultation with Simone, she really knows her stuff and is very friendly. I highly recommend Simone!
Simone’s Recent Articles…
Another Language Tool for Helping Your Child Eat New Foods
Non-Directive Language is a way to talk with children that empowers them with the choice to make their own mind up...
Putting “Everyday Leadership” into action with picky eaters
“Everyday Leadership” is a buzz-word meaning taking intentional and daily action to foster connection, communication and community whilst working together toward one shared vision. Yet, it may not be a phrase you have heard before. And, I’ll take a wild stab in the dark here, but I KNOW* you haven’t seen “Everyday Leadership” and “Picky Eating” used in the same sentence.
When Meal Planning Results in Shortbread and an At-Home Math Lesson
We find ourselves in unusual times during this global pandemic. Many thoughts have been focused on reassurance for my...
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child grow out of fussy eating?
Unfortunately, this is a widely spread misconception. A child will improve the variety in their diet with increased visual, contextual, sensory and categorical familiarity. For some children building this familiarity is simply a matter of time. Yet, for others, teaching them a range of familiarization strategies will assist them greatly. Support can come in so many forms too. This article that I wrote is a great comparison between shoe shopping and getting the right feeding advice.
How do I get my child to eat more foods?
We subconsciously attach so much value to ourselves as parents through how we feed our children. It was our first “job” as a parent! How could we not? When feeding is harder for our child than others, it is hard on us too. You are allowed to feel anxious, worried and frustrated. And it takes strength to acknowledge these feelings. Soon, we start to see the power of LET instead of GET. Letting your child explore foods, instead of getting your child to eat them. Letting your child belong at the mealtime without getting them to “just take a bite”. The journey is unique for each child and there are many strategies that will help them and you find mealtime peace and work towards a broader diet.
Should I hide vegetables in my child’s food?
In short, no and sometimes yes. The key to the difference in my answer is about TRUST. Feeding is an internal process. It is something that we want our children to tune into and respond to. So, hiding vegetables in a way that ruins trust does not have your long term nutrition goal at heart. Making vegetables portable by putting them in a muffin or in a hydrating home-made iceblock, when the child knows it is there, may help them build familiarity with the taste of the vegetables and it keeps them on offer. It is always important to #offerarainbow. Variety and familiarity building are so important!
When do I get help for my fussy eater?
Generally, we look at a range of “red flags”. Yet, if you are feeling stressed at mealtimes, I always find that it is better to reach out and get assistance early. I have a free brochure for you to download to open conversations with your family members and health providers available in this article: When do you get help for your fussy eater?
Is it expensive to get assistance for fussy eating?
This depends on your location, your needs, the type of feeding assistance you need, your funding options and the health professionals that you want to have involved.
For example, my 0-2yr video master class is “pay what you want” and then after you have purchsed that introductory program, you can book a one-on-one video consult for only $45.
For preschoolers, I run Food Playgroup (if you are Melbourne based) and that is $42/session (with included parent online support sessions). I also do home visits, online consults and have video bundles that suit all budgets.
For primary schoolers, I run the online sensory food school. This program is tailored to helping children work in an online peer group through strategies to assist with sensory aversions, anxiety, oral motor skill building and boost familiarity with a range of new foods.
If you sign-up to my newsletter, you get a 25 minute video on what feeding assistance is like, how to advocate for seeing the type of health professional that you need for your situation. I am always happy to assist you with referrals to services.
I also recommend joining Jo Cormack, Natalia Stasenko and I over at YOUR FEEDING TEAM for all your in between time feeding assistance. It is a small-fee subscription service.
Hence, as you can see, support ranges in price and you can get great support to meet your needs without breaking the bank.
*All prices on my site are in Australian Dollars.
Resources To Help…
Fussy Eater Meal Planning {Parent Group}
A 6 week small group program for parents. We specifically understand your unique meal planning requirements - no family is the same! You get a 30-min online session each week with Simone and constant email support. Design your pathway to happy mealtimes that suit your...
Mealtime Placemat and Videos by Children’s Nutritionist {Includes Shipping}
There are millions of gimmicks and tricks out there to "GET" your child to eat new foods. The problem is that they often (aka nearly always) don't work because they are imposing an external force on your child. These gimmicks are treating eating like a behaviour we...
Online Sensory Food School {Peer Group Feeding Therapy Meals}
Join children's nutritionist, Simone Emery, in an online program of group feeding therapy meals to learn strategies to help your child approach new foods. Group One: Perfect for 5 - 10 year old Fussy Eaters / Problematic Feeders. Group Two: Perfect for 3.5 - 6 year...