Sitting down to eat

Toddlers are curious and energetic, which makes them run around and want to explore. Sitting down for any length of time is an effort for a young child. Some toddlers do most of their eating on the run, refusing to sit down at the table at all.

Apart from being antisocial, eating while running around increases the risk of choking. Suggestions to get your child to sit down at mealtimes include:

• Accept that behaviour changes take time and effort. Be patient and calm.
• Discuss your plan of action with your partner and other carers so that your approaches are consistent.
• Be a good role model. Don’t let your child see you walking around the house while eating.
• Establish a predictable mealtime routine to help your child remember that they are required to sit down at an appropriate table without distractions such as TV.
• Turn the television off.
• Don’t fight over the issue of sitting down at mealtimes. Concentrate on making mealtimes fun and enjoyable so that your child is more likely to want to stay at the table. For example, involve your child in family discussions.
• Talk about it with your child in a calm and reasonable way, explaining why it is best to sit down when eating. You may need to have this conversation many, many times.
• Tell your child that their meal is over when they leave the table. Take away their plate. If they are hungry later, offer them a healthy snack.
• Be consistent. Insist that snacks are also eaten while sitting down.
• Compliment your child whenever they show the desired behaviour.
• Be realistic about the timing of meals – for example, don’t schedule mealtimes for when your child is overtired.

Source: Better Health

** That is true that some toddlers are hard to sit when they eat. They sometimes run and you will chase them outside just to let them eat their meal. I thanked for my Kyla for she is will just sit down when its meal time. She will sit on the dining set with us and I let her eat. I have no difficulties in meal time because she eats well. **

by: jil0504 at 12:59 | link | comments