Table manners for toddlers
By astreadido
@astreadido (608)
Philippines
August 22, 2012 4:28am CST
Toddlers are typically messy eaters. it can be frustrating most of the time to keep up with their mess but i read an article saying that playing with food is a normal and healthy developmental stage for children. They treat their food as their favorite toy, dropping and flying it around because they enjoy its effects, especially the screams it draws from us neat-freak moms. That is why it's quite an achievement for me whenever my kids are proud of themselves after every meal with lesser mess.
3 responses
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
24 Aug 12
I think it takes time to teach the toddlers table manners. I started letting him to eat with us these days, I give him his fork and spoon to eat on his own; he hasn't gotten a hang of using the fork and spoon right yet. We help him to eat. I think they need a lot of practises, it is not a quick lesson thing.
@snookms (53)
• United States
22 Aug 12
I remember well the days of having toddlers at the table and I always made sure we did have plenty of towels at the table and allow them to show their creative sides at meals. I have to say it has not affected their table manners now that they are all preteen and teenagers. They have no problem with cleaning their plates and are very respectable when out at a restaurant. I think letting them be a little messy as toddlers let them see that mom is not gonna sweat the small stuff save the freaking out for something major and they are happy well adjusted children who I am very proud of. I have to say though I miss the days when they were toddlers and the joy of watching them learning to eat with their spoons and then ending up with their food all over their faces and heads. It is priceless memories.
