Table Time For Your Kids

When your baby turns into the toddler stage, you will be facing with a more active and hyper child. You can see him roaming around the house, climbing the

stairs, and dodging obstacles in his way, all the while holding onto a piece of food and munching on it from time to time.

Getting your toddler to dine with you on the table requires a lot of practice and patience for him to be able to absorb all the lessons about table eating.

Transitioning your toddler to eating at the dining table is no easy task---especially during the first few attempts. Here are some strategies that can help

make for a much smoother transition.

* Invite your child to the table

Ease the child into the practice of eating at the dining table by introducing the concept as an exciting and interesting one. Take your child by the hand

while gently telling him that the rest of the family members would all be glad if he can join them at the dining table.

* Turn off and keep away distractions

Turning off the television and keeping the toys help prevent the child from diverting his attention to other things and concentrate on his food instead. Make

him focus solely on his food and not on other things.

* Show consistency in rule setting

Know when to draw the line between exploring food attributes (taste, texture, consistency, etc.) and playing with food in an inappropriate manner. Experts

say that at this stage, some of them will definitely play with their food, but parents should gently but firmly explain to the toddler that food belongs on

his plate or in his mouth.

* Demonstrate and articulate proper table manners

Modeling helps a toddler learn all about proper table manners. But parents should take caution against using negative statements when teaching the child

about how to eat properly and other meal time rules. What you want your child to know are the things he can and should do at the table, such as chewing and

swallowing his food before talking, putting food on his plate, or holding his cup with both hands.

* Create an attractive dining table setting

Entice your child to eat at the table by setting it up in a fun way. You can use child-friendly and attractive plates and utensils in fun colors and designs,

especially if it's something he is most interested in such as his favorite cartoon characters. The child will sure to enjoy eating with his favorite

character. The same goes to the baby wipes and bibs used to wipe his mouth after eating.

Lastly, dining at the table with your toddler will always be a fun and memorable shared experience, but it really helps to be realistic about it. Toddlers

are generally messy eaters, but for as long as they do not persist in doing something undesirable to their food - such as spitting or deliberately throwing

it - give them many enriching opportunities to explore and have fun with the food.


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