Throwing food on the floor

[apples and bananas]

I have a new 13 month old who apparently has no idea what a plate or bowl is for.

He throws food on the floor. I have started to take that as the sign that he's done and I remove the food from his tray and tell him "all done"

Does anyone have any success stories on something that has worked for you?

The dogs are starting to gain a little more weight then I like. ( I call them the clean up crew ) :laugh:

[Sandbox Sally]

I was, for a time, using double sided sticky tape to tape down all of Screamy's bowls and plates...lol. I love the little plates and bowls w suction cups on the bottom! OH! And the other day at Babies R Us, I saw an actual placemat with the suction cup the other way so that normal bowls and plates adhere. Too cool.

She still uses her hands to dump, though. I have sternly started telling her that she's not allowed, and it seems to be slowly working (3 week or so process).

[Dreamalittledream]

Oh poor you! We had trained our child out of it until he went to a new Childcare providor with 2 dogs...and feeding them became a fun game...not so fun at home (no dog). How we got him (& other DCKs to stop...immediately we would take all food away (I think that if they're at the point of throwing i/s of putting it in their mouth they're done). Good luck to you!

[Dreamalittledream]

And the other day at Babies R Us, I saw an actual placemat with the suction cup the other way so that normal bowls and plates adhere.
Must check this out!! Haha @ sticky tape!

[apples and bananas]

I love the sticky tape idea! And I will check out the suction cup placemat this weekend. Great idea.

[sunnydays]

I don't give them bowls or plates until they have shown that they can handle it...I use booster seats with trays, so I just put the food on the tray (unless it is soup or something like that). They can still throw it, but at least it's not a whole bowl. Then if they start throwing, I take everything away. It takes time before they grow out of it though!

[Bookworm]

I'm with kanga. I use booster seats too and put the food right on the tray. I also give small portions and if they eat everything without throwing it on the floor they get more. I have one dcg who is currently throwing everything off her tray, so I literally give her one piece of food at a time. Saves on the clean up and I dont waste as much food. If she eats it, she gets more, if she throws it on the floor, I wait a few more minutes then offer it again. If she keeps throwing it on the floor, then I don't offer her anymore food. Lately, she hasn't been eating or drinking much due to this (and other problems) but we are slowly making an improvement.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Yup - you do not get your bowl full of food until you have mastered not tossing food onto the table here!

I put finger food directly on the tray for infants that age and if they start tossing it than 'meal time is done' .... they learn quickly that if they are indeed still HUNGRY they better not do that ;)

Once they are not tossing food of the tray I offer the bowl and spoon - you get ONE chance and if you dump it or toss it - you are done ... again they learn REAL QUICK that if they are indeed still hungry you better not do that!

[Crayola kiddies]

Same here ... No plateware at all ... When they start throwing the food I say "no throwing" and I shake my head and it is working .... Even the parents told me the other day that they have noticed much less food hitting the floor. Good luck!

[Momof4]

I don't give them bowls or plates until they have shown that they can handle it...I use booster seats with trays, so I just put the food on the tray (unless it is soup or something like that). They can still throw it, but at least it's not a whole bowl. Then if they start throwing, I take everything away. It takes time before they grow out of it though!

DITTO!!! Also, when food goes on the floor on purpose I pick it up and look the child in the eye while showing them the food in my hand and very sternly repeat a few times 'no food on the floor'. Then of course I ask the parents to help at home to teach the children that it is not acceptable. My children all learn within a few months not to do that or they get my grouchy side. So yes, lots of success stories, it does work.

[mom-in-alberta]

When the food starts to hit the floor, mealtime is over. I will remove the food remaining and they sit until we are all done. They also get a stern, "NO. Food does NOT go on the floor."
If I find that it's a big challenge, as in an all the time habit, I will bring it up with mom and dad to ensure that they are reprimanding at home. Sometimes parents don't think it's a big deal. But when we have 3 or more kids doing it, it becomes a big deal!!

[apples and bananas]

Thank you for all the advise. I only gave him little bits at a time today. If he motioned to throw it, I removed it and put it back on the plate on the big table. No plates on the tray, just food and just what he's eating it. He started to catch on fast. Throwing food on the floor lost all of the excitment when I didn't give him any to throw. Now, the dogs... they aren't too happy with the new procedure. lol

I'll suggest mom follows through with this on the weekend and see if we can make any improvments.

[sunnydays]

Another thing I have heard from another daycare provider I know is to stand right beside the child throughout mealtime and every time the child tries to throw, you grab his hand and say no and make him put it on the tray. I could never follow through with this myself because I have so many little ones who need my attention during mealtimes (I serve small amount to reduce waste, so I am often doling out more to one kid or another etc). However, if you have a smaller group or a less needy group, this could work too.

[Momof4]

I have had children in care who have dogs at home and I'm pretty sure that's why their parents didn't reprimand them or mind of food went on the floor. That's completely understandable and maybe they didn't think about that before their child started daycare. But every time I ask parents to help me get the child to stop they have helped. Bottom line is that the parents have to be on our side!

[Cadillac]

I made mine pick up the food they've throw but they were older.

Maybe the dogs shouldn't be allowed near lunch . . . maybe he does it to attract the dogs?

I might check out that place mat though . . . I could use that since my daughter has learned how to drink the milk from her cereal bowl . . . . . except she actually sucks at it and doesn't even wait until she's finished the actual cereal