Mealtime with a toddler can be trying, even under the best circumstances. Between trying to get kids to try new foods to kids not wanting to sit still, it can be hard to get kids to just sit and eat. Use these tips to get your toddler excited about meal time…
Tips to get your toddler excited about meal time
Finger Foods
If you are trying to feed your toddler, you want to create a sense of independence. Finger foods are great for kids who no longer want you to be fed by mom and dad but are not quite good at feeding themselves with spoons and forks. Finger foods allow kids to pick up their food.
Child Sized Forks and Spoons
Kids have an easier time feeding themselves when the utensils are made for them. These smaller forks and spoons are easier for kids to put in their mouth and it is easier for kids to maneuver. Once kids learn the skills with these smaller forks, it is easier for them to move on to larger forks and spoons.
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Using an
Choices
Toddlers like to make their own choices. If eating and mealtimes are starting to become a power struggle, try giving the child choices. But not too many choices. It is best to give kids only two choices. For instance, would you like peaches or pears with your lunch? This lets the child feel they have some say in what they are eating but not too many choices that they can’t decide. By controlling the choices, you are also directing the kids into acceptable choices.
Mealtime should be family time. If possible sit down with your toddler and stay with them during meal time. Use this time to talk about other things during the day. Even if the child is too young to talk back, it keeps the mood around meal time happy and exciting. Use these tips to make mealtime more enjoyable.
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39 Comments
A big splash mat is required to protect your carpets!
Feed a bit at a time and use bib.
Praise the child for eating.
A area that’s easy to clean
Will love to have this plate !!!!! <3
i always put a towel under where they are eating so the carpets dont ruin!
By meal planning and serving food that they like.
Don’t stress! They’ll like one thing one day and hate it the next, but just go along with it, they’ll soon grow out of it!
By slowly introducing different foods and not panicking when they take awhile to accept them
So cute
To sit at the table as a family and make mealtimes fun!
Eating together as a family, as routine
Try and make meal times fun!
Don’t stress, the more you stress the more your child will stress and the worse the meal will go
Don’t stress about the mess, clean eating comes with time and practise xx
dont make mealtime a big deal
To sit as a family for meal times a few times a week if you can’t manage every day and introduce new foods gradually
Put down a splash mat so you don’t have to worry about the mess
No distractions
Let the children explore and enjoy their food. Give a variety of food and encourage them to try different things. Don’t worry about the mess, that can be cleared up later!
Be wary of mess! And take your time with meals x
Do not stress if they din’t eat what you have prepared they will eat the next time when they are hungry
A bowl/plate which sticks securely is a must so this looks great
Use a bowl with suction pads if you do not want it all over the floor
It gets messy and allow it they explore the food by touch smell unfortunately but that phase will pass – persevere
Try and eat together as a family & make meal times fun! Also lots of praise when they eat new foods too x
Make meal times fun and enjoyable
Make it fun – e.g. meals in the shape of smiley faces etc. Also introduce new foods early on so they aren’t so fussy later on.
A catchable bib!
Food that can be eaten with fingers to help the child try new textures
Get the children to help with shopping and food preparation as soon as they are able. It’s not really help, of course, but they are more likely to eat what they have chosen without any drama.
Praise the child for eating
Let them get messy 🙂
By making mealtimes fun and trying not to stress
To make mealtimes easier I make sure I sit down at the table to eat with Leo. When I tried to get him to eat on his own he wasn’t interested but if I sit and chat to him while he’s eating he will happily munch away whilst telling me all his stories (usually about superheroes!)
Try and make the food interesting and inviting and try and stay calm x
Sit down as a family and eat together as a family, toddlers often will eat if they see you eating. But most of all don’t make it a stressful time, eating should be enjoyable!
Make funny shapes x
Try and make it as fun as possible by involving the kids 🙂