Helping toddler to eat purées whilst being tube fed

[Tapestry12]

I need some wonderful ideas to try. I am nanny following MB instructions.
LO being fed all his calories through PaediaSure through day and night. Therefore he is not hungry. His swallow is weak but getting stronger. He often just collects it in his mouth and I then have game of getting him to let me scoop it out.
Any suggestions

Are tube feeds done on a schedule, thus you could do foodplay 30 mins before a feed is due? Then toddler may be hungry and thus may try swallowing a little.

Playing with food, spreading it around a plate with their fingers, is what I would try. Just get use to texture, have as runny as possible to start with, so more a sauce. Then texture up once sauce is accepted.

I don't know what the background is bit are finger foods totally out of the question? Chunks of food tend to have more taste than puree and he may be more accepting of sucking and swallowing soft fruit or frozen yoghurt than being spoon fed.

Obviously the relies on a degree of motor control so it may not be possible but if it's MB's reluctance then there are ways to introduce finger food and minimise risk of choking etc.

Iv5e done this a few of times.
Is your charge under a SALT? They are full of great ideas.
Is it an NG tube or gastro? I only ask as if s/he is gagging with an NG tube then you have the trauma of re insertion so I would tread more carefully.
I tend to try sweet or strongly flavoured foods. Most of my tube fed kids have loved salt! Nb- best to check with drs that your charge can have salt- some condititions prohibit it. They have also preferred texture to liquids. Not to say that liquids are wrong- just that its not always the way forward.
First foods have been wotsits and skips, home purees (but with herbs and maybe some salt to give flavour with savoury), fruit puree, toast with marmite, par cooked veg sticks, biscuits etc. You aren't worrying about nutrition at the moment- that's what the peadiasure is doing- you want to teach them food is good. Nothing to stop you blitzing spaghetti bolognaise of course!
I've found that mixed textures tend to be harder to learn with- so no puree with lumps. Either puree or give solid food in each session. If lumps aren't an option and your charge is struggling with liquids then you can get a medical thickener prescribed.
Food for fun/to play with is great. Ive even done jelly etc in the bath. Whack a nappy on and plop a giant bowl in an emtpy bath with child. Great fun! It is going to be a struggle and a long term commitment. As your charge accepts more food orally then the dietician should reduce the amount of supplemental food which will make it easier. If you head over to the special needs boards the parents and carers there are sure to give you some tips. They are very friendly.

Thanks all.
Yes LO is under a SALT. No gagging just fatigue of swallow and tongue.
I do food play but not on large scale eg in the bath - what a fabulous idea.
I am now also thinking washing up bowl with one of following, porridge, rice pudding, custard, jelly etc
Food play with purée before milk rather than eating it. Just need to be prepared for mess. I don't mind it, but mum might! obviously I will clear up.
No mixed textures will remember that. One or t'other.
Thanks shall go to special needs boards now.