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Do you let your toddler...

post #1 of 7
7/27/12 at 9:45am
Thread Starter 

Do you let your toddler eat foods on their own, like yogurt even if you know they are going to make a huge mess of it? 

 

I have been letting my now 2 year old eat yogurt and other foods on her own for a while.  She does make a huge mess of it, but I figure that is how they learn.  But I know some people don't because they don't want to deal with the mess.  Just curious what you do.

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post #2 of 7
7/27/12 at 9:58am
From the time my kids were about a year old, they fed themselves all their food.
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post #3 of 7
7/27/12 at 10:10am
When they were really small and very messy, I probably did half and half. I'd let them try to feed themselves some but also spoon some in too.
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post #4 of 7
7/27/12 at 10:13am

By 2 all of my kids were completely self feeding. Before they were able to really do it well I still only fed if I was on a time crunch.

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post #5 of 7
7/27/12 at 10:16am

They fed themselves. The only way they are going to learn to eat properly (and with less of a mess!) is to feed themselves until they figure it out. Just make sure she's eating messy items at a table and sitting on a chair and floor that can be easily wiped clean. Try and save yourself some work. Also have her put her own spoon in the sink/dishwasher and her own cup in the trash. And give her a wet cloth to wipe her own face and hands. If she's aware of picking up after herself that seems to make them more noticable of spills and things and helps reinforce the behavior of eating more neatly.

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post #6 of 7
7/27/12 at 10:29am

Since he could hold a spoon he has fed himself to some extent of another. I would save the really messy foods for just before bath time, so he could be taken up from the table and put right in the tub. When he was a year old I did the half and half that Pam mentioned, but he has always managed pretty well..Our biggest issue is he does not like to use silverware. If it can be eaten with his hands he would rather do that. So I have to remind to use them.

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post #7 of 7
7/27/12 at 12:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen1985 View Post

 And give her a wet cloth to wipe her own face and hands. If she's aware of picking up after herself that seems to make them more noticable of spills and things and helps reinforce the behavior of eating more neatly.

 

That is a good idea, she hates it when I wash her face, but she will do it by herself if I give her the cloth.  I didn't think about having her pick up after herself, that is a good idea too.

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