Hi Everyone! My son just turned 1 year old about a week ago and has recently, oh with in the last 2 weeks, started to throw his food off his high chair. He will take a bit or two and then take hand fulls and just toss it over. My husband and I try not to laugh when he does it cause that isn't helpful and I have tried getting at his level and telling him no, taking his tray away and even putting him on the floor but nothing has worked so far. He is to little not to eat his dinner at night so I don't really know what to do. Any sugestions would be great. Thanks a bunch!!!
Aiden is just having a physics lesson. We all have to find out cause and effect. Try giving him some food on his tray to feed himself and then sit down with him and feed him the rest. He will get his supper and eat it too!!!! Goodluck
try giving him only a handful or two at a time so he doesn't have much "ammo". It is natural for a one year old to want to play cause and effect games. He is learning how gravity and things work (when I drop this will it ALWAYS fall, does it make a noise or not etc.) as well as how others react to the behavior. SO really all you can do is minimize the mess. And when he shows you he is done respect that he is done. Offer one more bite and if he keeps playing let him be done.If he really hasn't had much to eat you can offer again in a bit.
Dear K.,
Well, first, get over that he HAS to eat his dinner, he will not starve, he may get hungry, then you get a nutritious snack for him. No, that will not spoil him or teach him to throw food.
Just get him down from the table, take him to another part of the house and get him something else to do. He is just too young to know what a time out is ( I think) just get him away from the table situation. After he has forgotten, clean it up, and once in a while ask if he is hungry. If so, then put him back and just give him a little bit to eat, with you sitting at the table with some extra food on your plate to feed him if he wants more. Just do normal table talk, don't talk too much about having to eat. He will when he is hungry. ....and you already know that it is fun to throw food when you are 1 year old.
Play ball or throw things with him outside.
Sincerely, C. N.
It is an investigative phase they go through, frusterating as it is. I just make sure to feed mine as well as the finger foods so I know he is getting enough to eat. There is nothing you can really do to stop the phase, it works itself out it's all about learning casue and effect sort of and watching things fly and fall. It is so hard not to laugh. They also like to watch you pick things up and give it back!!
I have to deal with the same situation. My son is 15 months old and he too throws his food on the floor, often not eating any at all. My advice would be to calmly tell him it is not okay. Which doesn't work right way, but our children will eventually get it. Throwing thier food on the floor is a game for them. It is fun! So, I feel that we should create an area for them,not exactly to allow it (it's going to happen no matter what). But to make it easier on us until our little ones completely understand that throwing food on the floor isn't okay. (my son is doing it now as I speak...lol) I have a blanket under his chair to make clean up a little easier for me. His high chair and booster seat is plastic and vinyl . This helps no washing just wipe down.
good luck...S.
My son used to do that too. My advice would be to not put so much food on his tray. Only put enough for one bite, and if he eats that, then put more on the tray. He will begin to understand that he will only get enough for one bite at a time, and he won't be able to throw handfuls of food.
I wish you luck!
p.s. My husband and I got married in May 2004 also! (May 2)
Hi, K....
What your son is doing is normal and actually good. Before you think I'm nuts, read on.. ;-)
This stage is referred to as "object permanence". It's a healthy way for younguns to learn that when something "disappears", it is not necessarily Gone forever. Children will also experiment with this by tossing toys out of their cribs, play yards, strollers, etc.... just be patient and give him small amounts of food at a time, and maybe he'll eat a little each time before he "tosses his cookies" (sorry.. couldn't resist! heheh)
Take care and good luck!
L.
My son did and does that too. With him, he throws it off if he's done eating or doesn't like something. What I did was put some on there because initially he's hungry and doesn't care what it is. Keep an eye on him and give him a little more as he finishes what's there. If he won't eat something after the first few times, then just focus on what he will eat. The important thing is that he had a few bites of the "icky" stuff today and he can always have a few bites at another time...that's not giving in to pickiness. If he simply will not eat more than a few bites, it is OK for him to not eat as much as you think he should. Believe me, he'll eat when he's hungry and he won't go without for very long!!
Take care!
M. M
