Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Eating Misbehavior
STANDING UP IN THE HIGHCHAIR
- The rule
"Don't stand up in your chair. Stay seated until the
meal is over." This is an important safety issue.
- Discipline technique
Some children can be confined to their highchair with
the safety strap; others can wiggle out of it. Logical
consequences of being put down and having the meal end
can teach your child not to stand up.
- Praise
Praise your child for staying in his chair.
PLAYING WITH FOOD
- Definition
During the early months of learning self-feeding, many
children will make a mess of their highchair tray and of
themselves. They may also make a mess because they mix
their food with their hands or spoon. Children should
not be punished for this normal behavior.
- The rule
"Don't throw or drop your food. Don't put food on your
body. Eat without making a mess."
- Discipline technique
When your child throws food, take him out of the
highchair and put him in time-out in the playpen for 2
minutes. Then let him return to the table. If he
repeats the misbehavior, assume he has had enough to eat
and put him down permanently. To deal with some of the
normal sloppiness of young eaters, put down newspapers
and offer your child small amounts of food at any one
time. A dog also comes in handy.
- Praise
Praise your child for eating without making a mess.
EATING TOO SLOWLY
- Definition
Some children who eat slowly are not hungry. Others are
being negative. The problem arises when a child has not
finished eating but the rest of the family has completed
their meal.
- The rule
"The meal is over when everyone else is done eating,
because we have to clean up."
- Discipline technique
Natural consequences. Clear away your child's plate and
put her down after a reasonable amount of time. Don't
give her any between-meal snacks if she only eats part
of her meal. Serve her smaller portions.
- Praise
Praise your child for not playing or wasting time during
meals.
EATING TOO FAST
- Definition
Most children who eat fast are in a hurry to go back to
their play. They may gulp their food in an unsavory
manner.
- The rule
"Mealtime lasts for at least ten minutes (or whatever
length of time the parents decide on) whether you're
done earlier or not. Mealtime is a special time when
our family gets together."
- Discipline technique
Logical consequences. Children will learn that
finishing quickly does not allow them to leave the
dinner table sooner.
- Praise
Praise your child for eating slowly, chewing food with
the mouth closed, and eating with good manners.
DEMANDING FREQUENT SNACKS
- Definition
Some children want a snack, fruit juice, or soda pop
every 30 minutes. Frequent snacking leads to tooth
decay, is disruptive, and can't be continued when the
child enters school.
- The rule
"Don't ask for a snack until snack time. We only have
one snack in the morning and one snack in the
afternoon."
- Discipline technique
Ignore your child's requests for snacks before snack
time. If he persists, send him to time-out.
TAKING FOOD FROM THE REFRIGERATOR OR CUPBOARDS
- The rule
"You're not permitted to open the refrigerator until
you're five years old. Ask a grownup if you need
something out of the refrigerator."
- Discipline technique
If your child opens the refrigerator without your
permission, send her to time-out. Put a stop sign on
the refrigerator door as a reminder. If your child gets
into food cupboards, send her to time-out. With a
persistent child, you may need to put locks on the doors
or move snack foods to higher cupboards.
LEAVING THE KITCHEN A MESS
- The rule
"Whoever makes a mess in the kitchen cleans it up."
- Discipline technique
Logical consequences. If you find the kitchen messy,
call your child to clean it up. If your child is not at
home, cancel the snack privilege for the next day. As a
reminder, put up a sign that says CLEAN UP AFTER
YOURSELF in the kitchen.
- Praise
Praise your child for cleaning up the kitchen.
- Model
Clean up after yourself in the kitchen area.
MESSING UP THE REST OF THE HOUSE WITH FOOD
- The rule
"We only eat in the kitchen."
- Discipline technique
Logical consequences. If you find crumbs or dirty
dishes outside the kitchen area, call your child to
clean it up. If your child starts to walk around the
house eating food, send your child back to the kitchen.
- Model
Don't take food outside the kitchen.
RELATED TOPICS
Appetite Slump in Toddlers
Weaning Problems
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Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
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Copyright 1999 Clinical Reference Systems
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