Meal Table Tactics For Temperamental Toddlers

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 2, 28 November 1947, Page 6

Meal Table Tactics For Temperamental Toddlers

( By the Department of Health) One of the most interesting states of a child’s development is at about two years of age. It can become one of the most irritating, if you let it. It’s not much use trying to coax a child into eating things “because they’re good for him.” They’re likely to be bad for his temper, and leave him with an idea that what is good is rather horrid. No, your child’s natural appetite is your best ally at the meal table. Hunger is more likely to make him eat than coaxing or punishment. You’ll find that the best plan is to put good, well-cooked food before him and then behave as if you don’t care whether he eats it or not. If he does miss a meal because he does not eat what is put before him, he won’t starve. He will make up for it next time, or at latest next day. The worst thing you can do for your own peace of mind and his eventual good is to offer just about everything in the larder until he condescends to eat something that he fancies.

Milk is excellent body-building food. Have it pasteurised for preference. But remember that if the child has a lot of milk he’ll need less in bulk of other foods, so don’t think you can press a hearty meal on to him if you give him glass after glass of milk throughout the day. , Another small point that might make a bit of difference to his willingness to eat without fuss is the seating provided. A chair that is the right height means a lot to his comfort, so give him cushions to sit on and another behind his back if needed, or better still, let him have his own little table and chair if there isn’t a baby’s high-chair in the house.

Finally, no fussing. Break him in to feeding himself as soon as possible, put a good meal in front of him and leave him to it. If he’s healthy he’s hungry. If he’s hungry, he’ll eat.