Tiny & Emily

Some may say that Emily Garber created the lovable new character, Tiny the Kangaroo, but Emily could say that Tiny has shaped her life as well. The two have been inseparable lately as they have worked together to help parents and children overcome difficulties with nutrition, eating, and drinking. Here's a peek:

TINY:  So Emily... would you have ever dreamed that your best nutrition partner would be a tiny kangaroo?

EMILY:  I would have never guessed that actually! I've always been interested in clinical research, medical nutrition therapy, and techniques to help people change their habits and point of view... all in an attempt to improve their nutritional quality of life, whatever that means for each family. I've spent years digging into books, internet, conferences, practice, etc. I was pleasantly surprised when I experienced you and your Tiny Tastes World! What a fun, non-threatening, non-judgmental, and easy to use approach which can really help children and families so much.

TINY:  Why do you think that kids like eating with me so much Emily? Am I just that charming? ;)

EMILY:  Well, you are adorable! I think it's also because kids in this generation are so used to watching cartoons and repeating the things that they see on shows, that their minds are really open to be influenced by these characters. There are many shows which already capitalize on the impact of media to help kids reach positive goals - such as Sesame Street for education, or cartoons and books that teach good values. Modern media has some type of strong, almost "magical" impact on children... and as we utilize this type of influence & appeal, I really see how you offer a unique type of way to reach kids that is pretty special! Studies already demonstrate that when parents and other children model healthy eating, kids are more likely to join along. But even though that concept was one inspiration for the app, the impact that Tiny can have seems to be quite unique and even different from that, overcoming long-standing barriers that parents haven't been able to address on their own.

TINY:  When did you start to want to help children with nutrition?

EMILY:  Well, I've always loved working with children, but it was during my time as a Clinical Dietitian at Seattle Children's Hospital that I started to think about what it might look like to have a tool that would make kids happy and have more fun trying new things, while at the same time it could help parents be less stressed when it came to feeding issues. It's one thing to tell a parent, "This is what your child should eat and how you can help them do it" but it's entirely different to actually have the child want to do so and for the parents not to lose heart. So, by the time I was working at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina, I was starting to develop this concept of an app that would improve a child's nutritional status as well as the enjoyment of their meals for both the children and their caregivers. 

TINY:  And that was me?

EMILY:  That was you! I collaborated with a team to create Tiny Tastes World for families to enjoy together.

TINY:  I LOVE my world! It is so much fun to leave my house every day and try new things. When children first walk through the story with me, I'm excited to have their company! But nothing makes me more excited than when I see a parent take a picture of a new food for me to eat. When they share their child's salad, beans, cauliflower, avocado... whatever it is, I'm eager to try anything!  And, of course, I love eating these foods right alongside a child who is willing to try them along with me.   

EMILY:  That's fantastic! I've seen children really open up when you show them that trying something new can be enjoyable. Some of the kids I've worked with have fears about tasting new foods... I've heard that when they see you eating the food it helps make them less nervous and they are more likely to taste some after they see you eat it too (even if it takes a few times of first just watching you enjoy it). Your adventuresome eating can be really inspiring, Tiny!  

TINY:  Do you think you'll create new things for me to do in the future, Emily?

EMILY:  Absolutely! We just launched the app and are encouraging people to try Tiny Tastes in its most simplest form, but we have big plans for you, Tiny.

TINY:  You do? Like what?

EMILY:  Like having you available on every mobile platform before the end of 2014, and then giving you more options throughout the story and new items to purchase with the coins that children can earn by tasting things. I'm also really excited about the fact that we are developing a clinical side to your world.

TINY:  Clinical? Do you mean I will be going into clinics?

EMILY:  Yes, you are going to get to meet lots of wonderful people there! The clinical version called Tiny Tastes PRO will be used by Registered Dietitians, feeding therapists, and doctors so that more parents and kids can learn about how fun and easy you can make their lives through your feeding support and automated VISUAL diet records! You will get to help feeding professionals track a child's progress over time, to see which foods a child is still struggling to eat and which types of food textures/colors they are making progress with. Also, they can view before & after pictures of a child's intake so that parents don't need to keep track of diet history in paper & pencil diet-logs... their diet info will all be effortlessly imported to a secure online web portal.

TINY:  That sounds awesome! How will people know when app updates and new products are available?

EMILY:  They can always check here on our blog, but also they should visit our website and our social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram  

Are you ready to start helping a lot of kids, Tiny?

TINY:  I'm definitely ready to meet some new friends!

Tiny Tastes app is available TODAY on iPad and iPad Mini.  More platforms coming soon!  

Visit us at www.tinytastesworld.com