Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Tossing Food off the Highchair | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
My daughter is 18 months old and has always been well behaved for the most part while eating her meals in her high chair. About four weeks ago I began watching another child in my home that is also 18 months, and she would throw her food or cup on the floor when she didn't want it. I've finally gotten the little girl to quit doing that by saying, "No, that's bad don't do that," but now my daughter is doing it, and I've tried everything from being calm and telling her not to do that to slapping her hand. Most of the time she smiles about it. My husband and I just don't know what to do, and I don't want to slap her hands or say no or bad in fear of that taking away her self-confidence. I would really appreciate your input. Thank you.— Shawna in Ohio | | | ANSWER |
April 6, 2001 | | | Dear Shawna,
Mealtime misbehavior is a very common problem. It's almost as though high chairs were designed to encourage experiments to find out what happens when food is dropped off the edge. The lessons children learn from experiments of this sort are both physical (things fall down) and social (mom gets flustered). Both responses can be gratifying to a toddler, hence the smiles.
Clear verbal instructions like "No throwing food!" help some. Be sure you deliver them in a serious but not loud or angry tone. Don't smile, even if your daughter's antics are cute, because that is giving a mixed message.
Put only a small portion of food on the tray at a time. If the throwing continues past one warning, tell your daughter, "Meal's done!" and take her out of the chair. She may be a bit hungry, but she'll make it up the next time. And, she'll quickly learn that throwing food means the meal ends. (This is fine for children who are healthy and well nourished; if that's not the case, talk with your child's doctor.) For more tips, see our Mealtime Behavior program.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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