how to get my son to quit playing with his food?

My nearly 3 year old plays alot with his food as well. The good news is, most of it gets eaten, The bad news is, its messy hehe. I have NO idea how to get him to stop, i figure its a phase that kids go through. I try to encourage the imagination food, with ants on a log, calling broccoli, trees, califlower is snow trees, carrot sticks can be logs to make a house. I like to sit down and help him make things out of fun food iteams. I think it passes by age 4 though lol. If your not too stickey about the rules at meal times, you can let him play with a toy car while he eats. It works to distract him from getting into the food, and allows his mouth to eat while his hands are playing.

Hi honey, Roo (3) does this too, he needs to feel the food to work out what it's like so he undertands it with all his senses. I do encourage a fork, and he does try for a while. Once he goes from the fork to fingers I keep reminding him, even if I load the fork for him. Once it's all getting squished up, he's not eating so I take it away, otherwise it starts getting thrown. I think you just have to set the rule of once it's getting played with then it's time to take it away, even if you save it until he says he's hungry. Bong (7) still eats with his fingers most of the time, regardless of reminders about his fork, he does try when we are out, bless him but finds cutlery difficult, even a spoon. I think this is part of the autism, adhd thing. Good luck!

Waite till next year and he Will grout out of it into some think els that will drive you batty all kids do that to present

Simply, by feeding him yourself.

This is going to sound a bit wacko. Why don't you try reverse psychology. Take one of his toys preferably his favorite, and pretend to eat it, make it as real as possible, we tend to underestimate toddlers, don't, sometimes they can spot a phony miles away. He has got to believe that you are going to do it. Go the full 9 yards, set the table ketchup and all, put it on the plate and act for dear live, you have got to make him see that toys are meant to play with and food to eat. Mind your teeth and see you at the Oscars:))))

That was because of the habit. That could be reduced by shifting his attention in the other activity. Of course that was positive, in order to be created the positive new habit.

For kids, it's all about exploring their environment and, most of the time, that means playing with anything and everything that they come into contact with. Yes, even their food. If it's the messiness that bothers you, get her a good high chair or booster seat with a tray and place a plastic tablecloth on the floor underneath her. Eventually, as her motor skills improve and food isn't "fun" anymore, she'll start being a little more neat with her food.

He will outgrow it. Everything is fascinating at this stage. At least he's eating. Mine picked at everything and didn't like much of anything. But they played with their food too.

My daughter did this too no matter where we wre eating. SO I made a deal with her that she could play with her food at home but when we were anywhere else she had to use utensils and not play with her food. That cut out the playing everywhere at home because she did abide by it. OF course she still played with it at home but I was okay with that. It took her longer to eat, which is okay too, because it allows for better digestion. I knew she was going to play so I would put down paper, put her in special eating clothes, you know the kind that are already stained, and she would always go straight into the tub after eating. I guess just accepted it as normal behavior, and tried to think of the positive. SHe did eventually outgrow it by the time she turned 5 and wanted to start being a grown up. the good thing is that it instilled the habit of eating slowly, so now she continues to eat slow and has of yet not had any digestive problems, which a lot of her friends have had.

hmm, maybe try to just take the plate away from him until he is ready to eat. Remove him from the table and give him a toy. Tell him if he wants to play, here is a toy. Tell him to let you know when he is hungry and ready to eat nicely and you will bring him back and give him his food. I think it's going to be a test of wills for a while. Don't worry, he won't starve! It may kill you for him to miss a meal or delay his mealtime until he behaves, but just remember you are teaching him appropriate behaviors, not that he can get his way and win over you! :o) Hang in there! It only gets tougher! lol

Try serving his food very very hot so he wont be able to touch it! My nephew and cousins never played with their food so I dont think its a phase every child has to go through. You can control it. Good luck!

A good online article on this subject is located at: www.babycenter.com/expert/toddler/toddlerbehavior/11596.html

This is going to sound a bit wacko. Why don't you use reverse physiology on him, take one of his toys, preferably his favorite and pretend that you are going to eat it, make it as real as you can, we tend to underestimate toddlers, don't, they can sometimes spot a phony miles away, he has got to believe that you are really going to do it. Go the full 9 yards, set the table, get out the ketchup, put it on a plate, and act as if you are acting for an Oscar! You have got to make him see the reverse side, toys are meant to be played with and food to eat. Good luck and mind your teeth:)

When all else failed my mom and dad grabbed a switch or a belt and their success rate was probably up around 100%. Just make sure you know the difference between discipline and abuse !!! I think back now and I'll have to admit that I deserved every spanking I received. Whomever said, "Spare the rod and Spoil the Child" knew excactly what they were talking about.